New Zealand have already lost the five match series as they failed to chase down the par total posted by Pakistan in the third ODI. This means that Pakistan has registered three consecutive wins in the first three matches and if they win two of the next two matches, then they will reach the number one position in the ICC ODI Team Rankings.
New Zealand have nothing to lose. For the first time in 13 years, they have lost an ODI series at the hands of Pakistan. They could not defend the score scored in the first two matches and failed to chase the 288 runs scored by Pakistan in the last third match.
How has New Zealand been so far?
New Zealand will play their fourth match in Lahore on the Pakistan tour, they have played the first two T20 matches and one ODI here and they have lost every match. There are many problems in their batting order, they are missing a hard hitter.
At the same time Ish Sodhi’s bad form with ball is a big issue, he has not been proved sharp enough to trouble Pakistani batters in thise series. He has taken 2 wickets in three matches of just three matches and has spent runs from an economy of above 6.
New Zealand’s batting is also basically dependent on the top order. Will Young has to score runs, he has played well in one match but it is time that he scores a century and Tom Blundell is looking very good. He got a chance to bat in place of Chad Bows and scored over 70 runs at a good strike rate.
Henry Nicholls’ experience has also not been of much use to the team, he got the opportunity to bat in a situation where there was a need to score runs very fast and we all know that he is not such a player. So replacing him with Jimmy Neesham will be beneficial for New Zealand as Neesham also provides a little dimension in bowling.
Young fast bowler Henry Shipley has also not been able to show his color so far, he spent more than 70 runs in 10 overs in the last match and failed to take a single wicket. But Cole McConchi looked impressive with bowling and batting, it was his first match and, he scored a quick half-century and an important wicket for 46 runs in 10 overs.
New Zealand Might Make A Comeback
New Zealand is a team that never gives up and is expected to make a comeback in the fourth ODI but for that they will have to make some improvements. Any two of the top 5 players will need to score big runs at quick pace.
The pair of Will Young and Tom Blundell will give the New Zealand camp a great start to the innings. Henry Nicholls should bat above or replace him with Jimmy Neesham because his style of play does not suit the conditions.
This means that the second consecutive match will be played in this ground in 3 days, which means that the pitch will become slower and as far as there is no hope of dew coming, if New Zealand wins the toss then they should decide to bat first.
New Zealand should aim at scoring at least 280 runs on the board and again the same thing Ish Sodhi will have to take at least 2 or 3 wickets if New Zealand has to win this match.