The ICC World Cup 2023 is in full swing and one of the most anticipated matches is the clash between New Zealand and Pakistan on November 4, 2023. Both teams have a rich history of rivalry and have produced some thrilling encounters in the past. In this article, we will analyse the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, their recent form, their head-to-head record, and their betting odds for this match.
New Zealand are one of the most consistent and balanced teams in world cricket. They have a strong batting line-up led by captain Kane Williamson, who is arguably the best batsman in the world. He is supported by other quality batsmen like Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, and Daryl Mitchell. They also have some explosive hitters like Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, and James Neesham who can change the game in a matter of overs.
New Zealand’s bowling attack is equally impressive, with a variety of options to suit different conditions. They have experienced pacers like Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson who can swing the ball both ways and generate pace and bounce. They also have spinners like Ajaz Patel, Ish Sodhi, and Rachin Ravindra who can exploit the turn and bounce in the subcontinent pitches.
New Zealand’s main strength is their adaptability and resilience. They have shown that they can perform well in any situation and against any opposition. They have also proven their mettle in big tournaments, reaching the finals of the last two World Cups. They are currently ranked second in the ICC ODI rankings and have won seven out of their last eight ODI matches.
New Zealand’s main weakness is their lack of depth in some areas. They are heavily dependent on Williamson for their batting stability and if he fails, they might struggle to cope with pressure. They also lack a genuine all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball. Their spin department is also relatively inexperienced and untested at the highest level.
Pakistan are one of the most unpredictable and exciting teams in world cricket. They have a talented and aggressive batting line-up that can chase down any target or set up any total. They have experienced batsmen like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan who can anchor the innings or accelerate when needed. They also have some young guns like Haider Ali, Mohammad Haris, and Saim Ayub who can provide flair and firepower.
Pakistan’s bowling attack is their biggest asset, with a lethal combination of pace and spin. They have world-class pacers like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah who can bowl fast and accurate spells and trouble any batsman with their movement and variations. They also have spinners like Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Qadir, and Zaman Khan who can bowl economical overs and pick up crucial wickets.
Pakistan’s main strength is their unpredictability and flair. They have shown that they can beat any team on their day and produce some stunning performances. They have also shown their ability to handle pressure and chase down big totals. They are currently ranked sixth in the ICC ODI rankings but have won five out of their last six ODI matches.
Pakistan’s main weakness is their inconsistency and lack of discipline. They often lose wickets in clusters or fail to finish off games. They also tend to make poor decisions on the field or lose focus at crucial moments. Their fielding is also below par and they often drop catches or miss run-outs.
New Zealand and Pakistan have played 104 ODI matches against each other so far. Pakistan have won 55 matches while New Zealand have won 48 matches. One match was tied while three matches had no result.
The last ODI match between these two teams was played on January 19, 2018 at Basin Reserve in Wellington. New Zealand won the match by 15 runs after scoring 271/7 in 50 overs. Martin Guptill scored 100 runs while Matt Henry took 4 wickets for New Zealand. Pakistan were bowled out for 256 runs in 49 overs. Haris Sohail scored 63 runs while Rumman Raees took 3 wickets for Pakistan.
The last ODI match between these two teams in India was played on March 18, 1996 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Pakistan won the match by six wickets after chasing down 162 runs in 46 overs. Saeed Anwar scored 76 runs while Mushtaq Ahmed took 3 wickets for Pakistan. New Zealand were bowled out for 161 runs in 49.2 overs. Chris Harris scored 65 runs while Wasim Akram took 4 wickets for Pakistan.
According to the betting site BetOnline, New Zealand are the favourites to win this match with odds of -200. This means that you need to bet $200 to win $100 if New Zealand win the match. Pakistan are the underdogs with odds of +170. This means that you can win $170 if you bet $100 on Pakistan and they win the match.
Based on the current form, head-to-head record, and team composition, we predict that New Zealand will win this match. They have a more balanced and consistent team than Pakistan and have a better record in big tournaments. They also have an edge over Pakistan in the subcontinent conditions, having won their last two ODI series in India in 2016 and 2017. Pakistan, on the other hand, have not played an ODI series in India since 2012 and have lost their last four ODI series against New Zealand.
However, we also expect a close and competitive match, as both teams have some match-winners who can turn the game around. Pakistan have a potent bowling attack that can trouble any batting line-up and a fearless batting approach that can chase down any target. New Zealand have a solid batting line-up that can set up or chase down any total and a versatile bowling attack that can adapt to any situation.
Therefore, we suggest betting on the following outcomes:
The ICC World Cup 2023 is a prestigious and exciting tournament that features the best teams and players in world cricket. The match between New Zealand and Pakistan is one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, as both teams have a history of rivalry and have produced some memorable matches in the past. We have analysed the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, their recent form, their head-to-head record, and their betting odds for this match. Based on our analysis, we have predicted that New Zealand will win this match, but we also expect a close and competitive match. We have also suggested some betting tips for this match, based on the best odds available.
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