After a crushing defeat in the T20I series against New Zealand, the Pakistan cricket team is gearing up for the ODI series with the return of senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. This series presents a golden opportunity for Pakistan to bounce back after their Champions Trophy disappointment, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage.
With key changes expected in the playing XI, we analyze Pakistan’s probable lineup for the 1st ODI against New Zealand.
Babar Azam Returns to No. 3, New Opening Pair for Pakistan?
In the Champions Trophy, Babar Azam was pushed up as an opener due to injuries to Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, but the experiment failed. Now, with Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique available, Babar is likely to return to his natural No. 3 position.
Babar Azam’s ODI Stats at No. 3:
| Matches | Runs | Average | 50s/100s |
|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | 5416 | 60.18 | 29/19 |
His dominance at one-down is evident, making it crucial for Pakistan to stick with their most consistent batter at this position.
A Fragile Middle Order?
While Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha provide stability, the rest of the middle order looks vulnerable. The likes of Khushdil Shah and Tayyab Tahir are relatively inexperienced, and their ability to handle New Zealand’s bowling attack will be tested. However, with limited options, they remain Pakistan’s best bets in the middle order.
No Place for Naseem Shah?
After a poor Champions Trophy campaign and below-par performances in the tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, Naseem Shah might be left out of the playing XI.
Naseem Shah’s Champions Trophy Stats:
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 50.00 | 5.56 |
With Haris Rauf being added to the squad, Pakistan could opt for a pace trio of Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Mohammad Ali, leaving Naseem on the bench.
Sufiyan Muqeem Over Abrar Ahmed?
Sufiyan Muqeem impressed in the final T20I, while Abrar Ahmed struggled throughout the series. Given New Zealand’s difficulty in picking Sufiyan’s variations, he could lead Pakistan’s spin attack in the ODIs.
Pakistan’s Probable XI vs New Zealand (1st ODI)
1️⃣ Abdullah Shafique
2️⃣ Imam-ul-Haq
3️⃣ Babar Azam
4️⃣ Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK)
5️⃣ Salman Ali Agha
6️⃣ Tayyab Tahir
7️⃣ Khushdil Shah
8️⃣ Mohammad Wasim Jr.
9️⃣ Haris Rauf
🔟 Mohammad Ali
1️⃣1️⃣ Sufiyan Muqeem
With this lineup, Pakistan will look to turn things around and start the ODI series on a high note.
