Preview: New Zealand vs. Pakistan, 4th ODI
The unpredictable Pakistan team came back strongly in the series with a convincing 43-run win in the 3rd ODI against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754. It was a typical Pakistan performance which was more on show during the 90s where Moin
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482, the man under the scanner due to the uncertainty regarding the 2011 World Cup captaincy,
hit form at the right time and smashed a quick-fire 65 runs off only 25 balls in the 3rd match. He will be hoping to carry on that form to make his case for captaincy stronger.
The series is also being treated as a trial and error process to try out different combinations on top of the order, as well as in the bowling line-up before the World Cup begins. Ahmed Shehzad, the right-handed opening batsman
who is part of the World Cup squad, has failed to impress yet again (he was out for a duck in the 3rd ODI). The aggressive batsman produced a quick knock in one of the T20 games, but still looks a tad unfit for the top level. He may be given another
chance to prove his worth in the 4th game. If Shehzad gets the axe, Kamran Akmal is expected to go back to the top of the order alongside Mohammad Hafeez. Asad Shafiq is the likely replacement and would be fitted in to separate http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972 and
Younis Khan in the middle order. Misbah has been in good form throughout the tour, but his credentials in ODIs are still up for debate. At times he tends to go into his shell and finds it hard to rotate the strike. Younis Khan’s situation is quite similar
and he is struggling for runs. The former captain would love to get back to scoring runs and stake a claim for the starting eleven in the World Cup.
Sohail Tanvir, a surprise inclusion in the World Cup squad, has failed to make a mark in his comeback series. The left-arm swing bowler does not have genuine pace, and mostly relies on beating the bat with his awkward wrong-footed
bowling action. When the shine goes off he tends to rely more on change of pace and he may be sidelined in favour of Abdur Rehman.
Shoaib Akhtar is another man expected to make a comeback in the team; the speedster has shown great resolve in recent times. Once known as the quickest bowler in the world, he has shown grit and determination to make a comeback
in the team. At the age of 35, he is still one of the most hard-working and committed players in the squad.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747
is not enough to make a big statement. That being said, it certainly is a step in the right direction.
The 4th ODI will be played at Napier; the pitch is expected to offer some assistance to the new ball. Therefore, the toss would be a key factor: whoever wins the toss may be inclined to bowl first. Pakistan should go
into the game as favourites, but once again the inconsistency and unpredictability of the men in green remains their strength as well as their weakness.
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