New Zealand Opt to Bat in First Tri-Series Game; Babar Azam Opens for Pakistan

Introduction

The highly anticipated tri-series featuring New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa kicked off with an exciting opening match between New Zealand and Pakistan. Winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first, a decision influenced by the flat batting conditions in Pakistan.

One of the biggest talking points ahead of the match was Babar Azam’s return to the opening position in ODIs after nearly a decade. With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, both teams view this series as a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and team combinations.

Toss and Team Decisions

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and decided to bat first. He emphasized that this match is an excellent opportunity for New Zealand to assess pitch conditions ahead of the Champions Trophy.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted that he, too, would have chosen to bat first. Rizwan confirmed that Babar Azam would open alongside Fakhar Zaman, marking his return to the role after 10 years.

New Zealand Playing XI

1. Will Young
2. Rachin Ravindra
3. Kane Williamson
4. Daryl Mitchell
5. Tom Latham (wk)
6. Glenn Phillips
7. Michael Bracewell
8. Mitchell Santner (capt)
9. Ben Sears
10. Matt Henry
11. Will O’Rourke

Pakistan Playing XI

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Babar Azam
3. Kamran Ghulam
4. Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk)
5. Tayyab Tahir
6. Salman Ali Agha
7. Khushdil Shah
8. Shaheen Shah Afridi
9. Naseem Shah
10. Haris Rauf
11. Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand’s Strategy and Key Players

With Lockie Ferguson ruled out due to injury, New Zealand relied on Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, and Matt Henry to lead their pace attack.

• Rachin Ravindra and Will Young opened the batting, aiming to capitalize on Pakistan’s pace-heavy attack.
• Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Tom Latham formed a solid middle order.
• All-rounders Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell provided balance in both batting and bowling departments.

New Zealand’s key strategy was to set a high total on a batting-friendly pitch while testing their bowlers under Pakistan’s aggressive batting lineup.

Pakistan’s Strategy and Key Players

The biggest change in Pakistan’s lineup was Babar Azam returning as an opener for the first time since 2015.

• Pakistan’s batting lineup featured a mix of experience and young talent, with Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, and Salman Ali Agha supporting the middle order.
• Khushdil Shah returned to provide an aggressive lower-order option.
• The bowling attack was spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, with Abrar Ahmed as the lone specialist spinner.

Pakistan’s primary focus was to restrict New Zealand to a chaseable total while testing their opening combination before the Champions Trophy.

Babar Azam Opens in ODIs After 10 Years

One of the biggest surprises in Pakistan’s lineup was Babar Azam’s return to the opening position in ODIs.

Why is This a Big Deal?

• Babar last opened in an ODI in 2015 before settling into the No. 3 position, where he became one of the best ODI batters in the world.
• With Pakistan searching for a strong opening combination, Babar’s return as an opener is expected to strengthen the top order.
• His ability to rotate strike and accelerate when needed makes him a perfect fit to anchor the innings.

Fans and analysts are eager to see how this move works out ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Pitch Report and Conditions

The pitch at Rawalpindi Stadium is known for high-scoring matches, with:

• True bounce and minimal movement for pacers.
• Batting getting easier as the match progresses.
• Spin playing a role in the middle overs.

Teams batting first have had a slight advantage, making New Zealand’s decision to bat first strategic.

Head-to-Head Record in ODIs

Pakistan and New Zealand have had some thrilling encounters in ODIs over the years.

• In their last 10 ODIs, Pakistan has won 6 matches, while New Zealand claimed 4 victories.
• In matches played in Pakistan, the hosts have a better record, winning 8 out of 12.

This match is expected to be closely contested, with both teams having strong lineups.

Key Players to Watch Out For

New Zealand

• Kane Williamson – The backbone of New Zealand’s batting lineup.
• Rachin Ravindra – Rising star who can make an impact with both bat and ball.
• Matt Henry – Leading pacer in the absence of Lockie Ferguson.

Pakistan

• Babar Azam – All eyes on him as he returns to the opening position.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi – Pakistan’s strike bowler in powerplays.
• Fakhar Zaman – Aggressive opener who can put New Zealand on the back foot early.

Importance of This Match for the Champions Trophy

With the Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, both teams see this series as a:

• Testing ground for new combinations.
• Opportunity to assess pitch conditions in Pakistan.
• Chance to finalize their strongest playing XI.

Expert Predictions and Analysis

Cricket analysts believe:

• New Zealand needs a strong start to set a competitive total.
• Pakistan’s pace attack will be crucial in restricting the score.
• Babar Azam’s performance as an opener will be closely analyzed.

Conclusion

The New Zealand vs Pakistan match is not just about winning or losing but preparation for the Champions Trophy.

• New Zealand’s decision to bat first sets the stage for an exciting contest.
• Pakistan’s experiment with Babar Azam as an opener is a major talking point.
• Both teams will be looking to gain momentum ahead of bigger challenges.

Cricket fans can expect an exciting and high-scoring encounter as both teams fight for an early advantage in the tri-series.

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FAQs

1. Why is Babar Azam opening in ODIs after so long?

Babar last opened in 2015. Pakistan is testing him in this role to strengthen their top order for the Champions Trophy.

2. Why did New Zealand choose to bat first?

The Rawalpindi pitch is flat and good for batting, making it ideal for setting a high total.

3. Who are the key bowlers in this match?

For Pakistan: Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
For New Zealand: Matt Henry, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke.

4. How does this series help teams prepare for the Champions Trophy?

It allows teams to test their combinations and get familiar with Pakistan’s pitch conditions.

5. What is Pakistan’s bowling strategy?

Pakistan is relying on their pace attack with three frontline pacers and one specialist spinner.

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