Pakistan vs. New Zealand: Key Players, Prediction and Preview Ahead of 2nd ODI
New Zealand must again come from behind in a series with Pakistan when the two teams meet in the second ODI in Sharjah on Friday.
The recent two-match T20 series ended level after New Zealand won the second match, and the Black Caps lost a thrilling first ODI on Monday.
Ross Taylor’s unbeaten 105 helped to compile a total of 246-7, which looked good when Pakistan were reduced to 124 for six. But a seventh-wicket stand of 110 between Haris Sohail and Shahid Afridi led Pakistan to a three-wicket win with three balls to spare.
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Defeat wasn't the only painful blow suffered by Taylor on the day:
Looking ahead to the second ODI, read on for a preview of who from each side may have the biggest influence on the outcome, as well as a prediction.
Pakistan One to Watch: Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi’s controlled knock of 61 runs off 51 balls was crucial in the first ODI. It was also the first time he had faced more than 25 balls in an ODI since July 2013, per Cricinfo. It was only the third time this year he has passed 20 runs in an ODI.
As Chris Bradshaw writes Afridi is “often exasperating, sometimes sublime but always very watchable” and that he has been “consistently inconsistent” in 2014.
Yet, for all the statistics, Afridi remains a source of hope for runs and the 34-year-old is now at an age where he can bring his experience to bear by displaying a little more discipline in his shot making.
He will also be useful with the ball. His spin in the first ODI brought one wicket for 36 runs and helped to restrict New Zealand’s total.
New Zealand One to Watch: Ross Taylor
An unbeaten 105 in the first ODI saw Ross Taylor become the first New Zealander to score three successive ODI centuries, per Andrew Alderson of The New Zealand Herald.
His previous two ODI innings had been against India back in January, and he continued that form against Pakistan.
Taylor had already scored a century against Pakistan this winter in the second innings of the second Test last month and his highest ODI score of 131 not out came against the same opponents in March 2011.
His aggressive approach will help to keep New Zealand on the front foot and he will be key to his team’s hopes of levelling the five-match series.
Prediction: New Zealand victory.
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