Pakistan and New Zealand are set to clash in the second One-Day International (ODI) of the series on April 29, 2023, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Pakistan. Both teams will be looking to solve their middle-order woes after struggling in the first ODI.
The Kiwis suffered a 26-run defeat in the first match, despite posting a competitive total of 288 runs on the board. The middle-order collapse proved to be the decisive factor in their loss, as they lost their last five wickets for just 34 runs. Meanwhile, Pakistan pulled off a remarkable chase thanks to opener Fakhar Zaman's brilliant century, which helped them chase down 289 with three overs to spare.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the teams' middle-order struggles and analyze what they can do to improve their performance in the upcoming match.
New Zealand's middle-order struggles:
The Kiwis' middle-order has been a cause for concern for some time now. They were bowled out for just 60 runs in the second T20I against Australia earlier this year, and their struggles have continued in the ODI series against Pakistan.
In the first ODI, New Zealand's middle-order failed to capitalize on the solid start provided by their top order. Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, and James Neesham were dismissed cheaply, leaving the lower-order with too much to do.
Also Read:- Crystal Palace vs West Ham: A Premier League Clash
- Understanding the Growing Market of Virtualization Software
To make matters worse, all-rounder Mitchell Santner has been ruled out of the remainder of the tour due to a finger injury, further weakening their already struggling middle-order.
Possible solutions for New Zealand:
New Zealand could consider promoting Neesham up the order to provide stability to their middle-order. He is a seasoned campaigner and has the ability to score quick runs as well.
Alternatively, they could give a chance to youngster Rachin Ravindra, who has been in good form for Wellington in domestic cricket. He could provide a fresh perspective to the Kiwis' batting line-up and take some pressure off the experienced players.
Pakistan's middle-order struggles:
Pakistan's middle-order also struggled in the first ODI, despite the brilliant performance by Zaman. After his dismissal, the middle-order failed to provide the necessary support, with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shoaib Malik all falling cheaply.
Possible solutions for Pakistan:
Pakistan could bring in the experienced campaigner, Asif Ali, to bolster their middle-order. Ali has been in good form in the domestic circuit and has the ability to hit big shots in the middle overs.
Alternatively, they could give a chance to all-rounder Khushdil Shah, who has been impressive in the domestic T20 competition. Shah could provide the necessary balance to the team with his left-arm spin and big-hitting abilities.
Both Pakistan and New Zealand will be hoping to sort out their middle-order issues ahead of the second ODI. The teams have talented players in their ranks, and it's only a matter of time before they click as a unit.
It will be interesting to see how the teams approach the second ODI and whether they make any changes to their playing XI. The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams vying for a crucial win.
Keywords: Pakistan, New Zealand, middle-order, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Asif Ali, Khushdil Shah, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shoaib Malik, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Read More:- Los Angeles Lakers Dominate Memphis Grizzlies to Advance in NBA Playoffs
- Michael J. Fox's Parkinson's Foundation makes breakthrough in early disease detection
Thanks for Visiting Us – Mirror7News.com
Post a Comment