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Shahid Afridi to marshal Pakistan's comrade in New Zealand.

6-Match ODI Series, between Pakistan and New Zealand, is all set to start from tomorrow(22nd January) in Wellignton's Westpac Stadium. Its the first time since 2005 that Pakistan is playing a 6-Match ODI Series, last time Pakistan played against India in 2005 and won it by 4-2. This series is considered as a rehearsal before Cricket World Cup 2011, and most importantly it would also decide that who will be Pakistan's captain in World Cup 2011.

Small boundaries are expected in New Zealand where batsmen will enjoy more than bowlers. Pakistan batsmen would purely get chances to free their arms on the eve World Cup in subcontinent where flat tracks and high scoring games are also expected.

Fixtures

- 22nd January, 1st ODI - New Zealand v Pakistan at Westpac Stadium, Wellington. Match will start at 6.00am PST   

- 26th January, 2nd ODI - New Zealand v Pakistan at Queenstown Events Centre. Match will start at 3.00am PST

- 29th January, 3rd ODI - New Zealand v Pakistan at AMI Stadium, Christchurch. Match will start  at 6.00am PST

- 1st February , 4th ODI - New Zealand v Pakistan at Mclean Park, Napier. Match will start at 6.00am PST

- 3rd February , 5th ODI - New Zealand v Pakistan at Seddon Park, Hamilton . Match will start at 6.00am PST

- 5th February , 6th ODI - New Zealand v Pakistan at Eden Park, Auckland. Match will start at 4.00am PST

Note: 2nd and 6th ODI are day matches, rest four matches would be day/night.

Pakistan Squad

Openers: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmad Shahzad

Middle Order batsmen: Younis Khan, Asad Shafique, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal

All-rounders: Shahid Afridi(c), Abdul Razzak, Sohail Tanvir, Kamran Akmal(w/k)

Pace attack: Shoaib Akhter, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz

Spinners: Abdul Rehman and Saeed Ajmal

Note: Captain Shahid Afridi would be under dilemma particularly with opening pair as Kamran Akmal is back and Ahmad Shahzad is also in good form. There would be ties between selection of Asad Shafiq & Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz & Sohail Tanvir, Abdur Rehman & Saeed Ajmal.

Pakistan vs New Zealand in eyes of stats:

- In recent times, Pakistan's one of the worst ODI performances came against New Zealand. In last 10 matches played between these two teams, Pakistan managed to win only 2 ODIs and lost 8 ODIs. New Zealand also beat Pakistan in Champions Trophies 2006 and 2009.

- Last 2 bilateral series between them were won by New Zealand. Moreover, In last two ODI series played in New Zealand, New Zealand has beaten Pakistan by 3-2 and 4-1 in 2001 and 2004 respectively.

- Overall Pakistan has an awesome record over Kiwis, in fact Kiwis have been Pakistan's bunnies on many occasions. Pakistan have played 82 matches, 48 won by Pakistan and 32 won by New Zealand.

- Though Pakistan dominates NZ overall but NZ has quite impressive record in their home against Pakistan. 34 matches played between these two in New Zealand, Pakistan has just won 12 whereas New Zealand won 20. 1 was tied and 1 ended as No-Result.

Abdul Razzak betters every player with bat & ball before series

 - In squads of both teams, Abdul Razzak dominates with bat as well as with ball. Abdul Razzak has scored 783 runs in 34 matches with average of 35.59 against New Zealand. Moreover, He has also taken 36 wickets in 34 matches against New Zealand. None of the players from current squads, of Pakistan and New Zealand, has scored or taken wickets more than Abdul Razzak.

- Shoaib Akhtar has enjoyed superb reign over New Zealand by taking 32 wickets in 18 matches at average of 19.81, economy of 4.27 and strike rate of 27.8. Moreover, Shoaib Akhter's career best figures of 6-16 also came against New Zealand, this is also best bowling performance by any Pakistani against New Zealand.

- Younis Khan has never played an ODI in New Zealand whereas Shahid Afridi has played only three ODIs in New Zealand.

- One of Shahid Afridi's, rare to see, centuries came against New Zealand.

Written and compiled by, editor of this website, Mazher Arshad on January 21, 2011.