New Zealand vs Pakistan Prediction: Both team need a win

New Zealand and Pakistan are going head to head in the 35th game of the ICC World Cup 2023 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru Urban, India on 4th November. New Zealand who were looking favourites to qualify for semis, seems to have lost their form. Who will win this game?

New Zealand initiated their campaign impressively with four consecutive victories, even taking the top spot on the points table at one point. However, the team has hit a rough patch recently, enduring three successive losses leading up to this crucial encounter. Despite still being among the top four, New Zealand aims to secure a convincing win in this match to avoid any anxieties.

Their previous clash saw New Zealand succumb to a dominant South African side, resulting in the team's weakest batting display in the tournament. As they strive for a rebound, the upcoming ten days are pivotal for New Zealand's future in the competition. Rachin Ravindra has been the standout batsman for the team and the leading run-scorer. He, along with Daryl Mitchell, will hold significant responsibility in the middle overs. While Devon Conway, who delivered a scintillating performance in the tournament opener, has struggled to maintain his form, and Will Young hasn't been at his fluent best. Glenn Phillips, who crafted a gritty half-century against South Africa, seeks to maintain the momentum.

Unfortunately, the New Zealand camp has been plagued by fresh injuries. Lockie Ferguson missed the last match due to an Achilles heel issue, and Matt Henry had to exit mid-match due to a hamstring injury. Kyle Jamieson has been called up as a replacement for Henry. These challenges make the upcoming matches critical for New Zealand's prospects in the tournament.

Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c & wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman/Jamesh Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

Pakistan's journey in the World Cup has been marred by inconsistency, with just three wins from their seven matches. However, New Zealand's recent significant loss to South Africa has provided a glimmer of hope for the Men in Green, offering a chance to secure a spot in the top 4 through a decisive victory on Saturday. Yet, achieving a playoff berth hinges on various permutations and combinations.

While Pakistan's batting effort has generally been lackluster, two standout performers have emerged in the form of Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique. Rizwan leads the run-scoring charts with 359 runs, closely followed by Shafique with 332. However, opener Imam Ul-Haq has faced challenges in establishing himself, and the form of key players like Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Saud Shakeel has been inconsistent.

In this crucial match, Pakistan must deliver a vastly improved batting performance. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf have shown promise with the new ball, amassing 16 and 12 wickets, respectively. However, they have been somewhat expensive. Mohammad Wasim Jr., who stepped in for Hasan Ali, has made a positive impact, but the spin bowling department has yet to make a significant contribution, leaving room for improvement.

Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf

The toss tends to have minimal impact at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, with teams batting first and second experiencing comparable success rates. Nevertheless, we believe that opting to bat first is a favorable choice on this ground.

Chinnaswamy Stadium is renowned for its reputation as a high-scoring venue. The pitch is typically flat, offering substantial pace and bounce. Although the seamers might find some assistance initially, the pitch generally lacks excessive movement. The team batting first will aim to set a formidable total, exerting pressure on their opponents.

As the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, becoming more conducive to spin bowling. Given that this is a day match, dew is not expected to be a significant factor.

However, the weather might pose a challenge, with a high likelihood of rain in the afternoon. Both teams are currently facing challenges and are eager for a turnaround. While predicting the outcome of this match is quite challenging, we believe that New Zealand holds a slight advantage in this contest. The team boasts a more balanced lineup, particularly in the bowling department, which could contribute to their success.

Our bet is on New Zealand to secure the victory.