World Cup 2019, Pak vs NZ Playing 11, Squad, Players List: Pakistan are to face New Zealand in a must-win clash.World Cup 2019, Pakistan vs New Zealand (Pak vs NZ) Buildup: Pakistan continue their battle of survival when they face an unstoppable New Zealand in a must-win ICC Men Cricket World Cup 2019 clash in Birmingham on Wednesday. Pakistan faced severe criticism after their loss to arch-rivals India but their 49-run win over South Africa breathed life into their campaign but the road ahead is a tough one. With just two wins and three losses, Pakistan are at the seventh spot with five points in six games. Sarfaraz Ahmed and his men will now not only have to win the remaining three matches, starting with New Zealand, but also hope that the results in other matches favour them to salvage any hopes of a semifinal berth.
New Zealand, on the other hand, have been invincible so far and currently hold the top position in the points table. The Black Caps, led by inspiration skipper Kane Williamson, have been on a roll ever since they steamrolled Sri Lanka in their opening match. But New Zealand looked vulnerable against South Africa and the West Indies but it was skipper Williamson’s twin hundreds which helped them seal the wins.
Toss
New Zealand win toss, opt to bat first against Pakistan in Birmingham. For further updates, CLICK HERE
Toss delayed
Toss was first delayed to 3pm IST. It then got further delayed to 3.30pm IST. For live score, updates of the match, CLICK HERE
When and where to watch
New Zealand are unbeaten in this World Cup. Pakistan have done what Pakistan do best – they have fluttered between being indifferent and being spectacular. Know everything about PAK vs NZ clash. [CLICK]
Bad news: Rain
PAK Probable XI
Probable XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c&wk), Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi
NZ Probable XI:
Probable XI: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson
Sarfaraz Ahmed on ‘fat pig’ comment.
Sarfaraz Ahmed has asked the fanatical fans of Pakistan cricket to not make abusive personal attacks on the players after a supporter compared the wicket-keeper batsman to a "fat pig".
Till defeat do us apart, again
Sarfaraz Ahmed is suddenly getting some praise. Just about a week ago, the Pakistani media, both mainstream and social, and also some former cricketers, were taking the mickey out of the Pakistan captain, as his team lost to India. Shoaib Akhtar went to the extent of calling Sarfaraz’s captaincy “brainless”. Positive vibes have returned after Pakistan’s victory over South Africa.
Over rate yes, over-rated not
Praise has been pouring in thick and fast for Kane Williamson. Only his over-rate has been slow. But add ‘unselfish’ to that list of adjectives. Back home, the New Zealand captain is being hailed for putting the team before self; prioritising win over personal predicament. Williamson was fined 20 percent of his match fee for the team’s slow over rate in the win over West Indies. One more offence during the World Cup and he will be handed one-game suspension.
Boy can play (guitar too)
His bat has done all the talking. Now, it’s playing music as well. Kane Williamson turned his bat into a guitar, jamming along with singer and guitarist Mike Wilton. Well, Williamson was sitting awkwardly for majority of the duration before strumming a tune and letting himself loose.
Smells like Kiwi spirit
When it comes to the spirit of cricket, one of the awards, which hardly gets a mention when the World’s teams and players are feted by the ICC annually, the Black Caps won it three of the seven times when it was given to a team between 2004 and 2010.
That 1992 New Zealand-Pakistan feeling again
Go back to the World Cup in 1992. Pakistan’s first six matches went as: a loss, then a win, then an abandoned match, followed by two losses and a win. And then they went on to win the World Cup. This time around, their first six matches have had identical results, and on both occasions, their seventh was against an unbeaten New Zealand outfit. READ MORE
Birmingham Weather Forecast Today and Pitch Report:
There were thundershowers in Birmingham on Tuesday but the skies are expected to be clear for the match on Wednesday. Weather forecasts show that there shall be low clouds in the morning but that they shall clear away around noon and that skies will continue to clear up through the course of the day. Rain is expected to stay away.
READ PITCH REPORT
Rejuvenated Pakistan face battle of survival against rampaging New Zealand
Pakistan faced severe criticism after their loss to arch-rivals India but their 49-run win over South Africa breathed life into their campaign but the road ahead is a tough one. READ MORE
PAK vs NZ
With three must-win matches left for Pakistan, the side will go all guns blazing against an unbeaten New Zealand in Birmingham on Wednesday as they meet for ICC Men Cricket World Cup clash. Stay tuned for all the action ahead of the match, the talk around it and Predicted Playing XI