Pakistan will be desperate to get a win on the board when they face New Zealand at Seddon Park on Tuesday morning.
The five-match series heads to Hamilton, where New Zealand will be aiming for an exceptional record 11th consecutive win, building on their impressive clean sweeps against the West Indies in the previous year and Pakistan earlier in January.
Although Pakistan showed promise in Wellington, they have fallen short and must quickly fix their batting issues to avoid a series whitewash.
New Zealand v Pakistan | Tuesday, 16 January | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 3:00
To Win Match
New Zealand 31/100 | Tie 35/1 | Pakistan 51/20
New Zealand
The Kiwis have built great momentum over the last couple of months and are determined not to let up when it truly matters. Even though they have already clinched the series, they will be chasing wins number 11 and 12 in a row to cement their dominance.
On Tuesday, batsman Ross Taylor is set to celebrate a huge milestone, becoming the seventh New Zealander to play 200 ODIs – a remarkable comeback following a career-threatening eye surgery about a year ago.
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme is expected to return to the team, providing valuable seam bowling options compared to the additional spinner used in Dunedin.
New Zealand boasts a strong record at Seddon Park, having won four of their last five ODIs here. Teams batting second have enjoyed success at this venue since 2010. Captain Kane Williamson may be faced with a crucial decision at the toss.
Although the weather has been unpredictable and caused disruptions during the West Indies series and last week’s third ODI, the forecast suggests a smooth game on Tuesday unless unexpected rain arrives early.
Pakistan
Pakistan faces a tough challenge to recover after being bowled out for a disappointing 74 runs on Saturday. Their batting line-up needs a strong resurgence immediately.
New Zealand’s coach Mike Hesson praised his team’s adaptability to changing conditions. Pakistan can take a leaf out of this book and avoid sticking to rigid game plans.
The conditions in Hamilton will differ significantly from Dunedin. With the pitch expected to offer extra bounce, Pakistan might consider giving seamer Hasan Ali another chance with the new ball.
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq emphasised that senior players like Shoaib Malik must step up and that the potential of younger players needs to turn into performance.
With the series already lost, Pakistan might recall all-rounder Aamer Yamin, who has not featured in an ODI since October 2015. His lower-order hitting and right-arm seam bowling could add depth to the side.
Verdict: New Zealand 31/100
New Zealand shows no signs of slowing down and could celebrate Ross Taylor’s 200th ODI with their 11th straight victory. They’ll look to seal a 5-0 clean sweep with the final match in Wellington on Friday.
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