Probable XI –
New Zealand –
Tom Latham, Tom Blundell/Will Young, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner
Pakistan –
Abid Ali, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (C, WK), Faheem Ashraf, Haris Sohail, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas
Small League Combination 1 –
1. BJ Watling
2. Henry Nicholls
3. Kane Williamson(C)
4. Ross Taylor
5. Azhar Ali
6. Haris Sohail
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Tim Southee(VC)
9. Trent Boult
10. Yasir Shah
11. Kyle Jamieson
– Kane Williamson looks safest captain pick as he has scored at an average of 50 in 18 head to head innings which includes 5 half centuries and two centuries too.
– Tim Southee might prove to be a good VC pick considering nature of the pitch which will help the pacers and his average of 30 with bowl in 18 H2H innings.
– Azhar Ali & Haris Sohail are must picks from PAK as they are the only two batsman who have scored runs at an average of above 40.
– Yasir Shah can be a good punt as he has taken 38 wickets in 25 H2H games at an average of 25 which includes 3 5 wicket hauls too.
– Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor & Watling are other batsmen who have been consistent at this venue & against the opponent too.
– Faheem Ashraf might be another good pick as he’s expected to be 5th bowler of PAK & bat at middle order.
– Kyle Jamieson has been lethal in last couple of test series so he might be a differential pick at this pace favoured surface.
Small League Combination 2 –
1. Mohammad Rizwan
2. Henry Nicholls
3. Ross Taylor
4. Kane Williamson(C)
5. Azhar Ali(VC)
6. Haris Sohail
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Daryl Mitchell
9. Tim Southee
10. Neil Wagner
11. Yasir Shah
– Azhar Ali can be a good punt VC considering his average of 42 with bat in 18 H2H innings.
– Mohammad Rizwan might play a responsible cricket in his 1st test as skipper.
– Daryl Mitchell can be a good punt as he’s expected to bat at 5 down & bowl as 5th bowling option for NZ.
– Neil Wagner might be another good pick as he has experience of playing at this venue and against the opponent too.
Grand League Combination –
1. Mohammad Rizwan
2. Kane Williamson
3. Ross Taylor
4. Azhar Ali
5. Haris Sohail
6. Daryl Mitchell(C)
7. Faheem Ashraf(VC)
8. Trent Boult
9. Kyle Jamieson
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Yasir Shah
– Daryl Mitchell & Faheem Ashraf both might be good C VC picks in GL as they will bat at middle orders & bowl full time too.
– Shaheen Afridi has been a consistent wicket taker for PAK so expecting him to be good at this pace favoured pitch.
– Trent Boult hasn’t been at his best during the T20I series but expecting him to bounce back in this match.