New Zealand vs Pakistan Prediction: New Zealand are coming off a win in a series against Bangladesh

New Zealand and Pakistan are going head to head in the third warmup game of the World Cup 2023 at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad on 29th September. New Zealand are coming off a win in a series against Bangladesh and Pakistan will be looking to move on from Asia Cup form. Who will win this game

New Zealand has consistently reached the finals of the last two World Cups, establishing themselves as one of the most reliable teams in international cricket. However, their recent performance hasn't been stellar. The team has encountered defeats in three of their last five bilateral series, with the two victories coming against comparatively weaker opponents, namely Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

With the return of Kane Williamson to the squad following an extended absence, his dynamic leadership and batting prowess will be essential to uplift the team's morale, especially when facing spinners. New Zealand boasts a formidable batting lineup featuring talents such as Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, and Tom Latham.

The team also possesses several quality all-rounders in James Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, and Mitchell Santner. Nevertheless, many of them lack substantial experience playing on Indian pitches, which could pose a challenge. Shifting to the bowling department, the inclusion of Trent Boult has significantly bolstered the team's pace attack, complementing the likes of Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry.

Unfortunately, Tim Southee, who sustained a fractured thumb recently, may not be available for this upcoming match. Ish Sodhi, following his impressive six-wicket haul against Bangladesh, emerges as another crucial bowler for the Black Caps, with his recent performance undoubtedly boosting his confidence.

Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Daryll Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee

Pakistan has displayed outstanding form since the beginning of this year and even held the top spot in ICC's ODI rankings until recently. However, consecutive defeats against traditional rivals India and Sri Lanka in the recent Asia Cup may have slightly shaken their confidence.

In this game, Pakistan will place their trust in a formidable batting lineup to deliver strong performances. Babar Azam, who is currently in exceptional form, will play a pivotal role in the middle order alongside Mohammad Rizwan. At the top of the order, Fakhar Zaman, who had a subdued outing at the Asia Cup, will partner with Imam Ul-Haq, while the remaining batting positions will be filled by Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, and Abdullah Shafique.

Pakistan's pace attack is undoubtedly one of their strengths, with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf showcasing exceptional skills in the Asia Cup. Their goal will be to replicate their previous successes. Although Pakistan faced a setback with Naseem Shah's injury, Hasan Ali, an experienced campaigner, has stepped in as his replacement.

When it comes to spin bowling, Pakistan's options are somewhat limited, with Usama Mir being the sole specialist spinner in the squad. Consequently, the team will need to rely on the contributions of all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz during the middle overs.

Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saman Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali

The teams batting first tend to have a slight advantage on this ground. Consequently, we anticipate that the team winning the toss will likely choose to bat first. The pitch at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium is dry, providing a good amount of bounce and pace. Batsmen will find it conducive to their style of play, suggesting a high-scoring contest. The average first-inning score at this venue hovers around 290 runs. However, the team batting first will aim to surpass the 300-run mark, with potential support for spinners in the latter half of the match.

The weather forecast indicates cloudiness and humidity, with possible showers in the evening. In this match, we favor Pakistan to emerge victorious. They have maintained consistency over the past few months, notwithstanding their recent losses in the Asia Cup. Conversely, New Zealand has experienced a dip in form recently and is still grappling to identify the ideal player combination.

Our prediction leans towards Pakistan for the win.