NZ vs PAK Match Prediction : Pakistan Tour of New Zealand 2025, 1st ODI – Who Will Win Today’s Match Between NZ and PAK?

NZ vs PAK Betting Tips

Having already won the T20 series, New Zealand will look to extend its dominance to the 50-over format as well, as they take on Pakistan for a 3-match ODI series starting later this week. The first match will be played on Saturday at the McLean Park in Napier.

Also Check: Today's IPL Betting Rates

New Zealand vs Pakistan Bengaluru Head-to-Head Record

The two teams have faced each other in 119 matches to date. Pakistan has a slight edge with 61 wins, compared to 54 for New Zealand. 3 matches ended without any result while 1 was tied.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live-streaming and Broadcast

This match can be watched live on the FanCode App and Sony Sports Network.

NZ vs PAK Team Previews

New Zealand

New Zealand has played some good cricket over the last few months. They were one of the best teams in the recently played Champions Trophy, where they reached the finals, and followed it up with a clinical performance against Pakistan in the T20 series.

However, as the team battles the unavailability of players due to injuries and IPL, they will need to be at the top of their game if the team wants to win the first match.

Only 8 members from the squad that reached the Champions Trophy Finals have been selected for this series. Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway are playing in the IPL, while Kane Williamson, Matthew Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Mitchell Santner are unavailable due to injuries and workload management. This has given the selectors an opportunity to test some of its high-potential players.

Muhammad Abbas and Nick Kelly have earned their maiden international call thanks to some excellent performances in the domestic circuit. Kelly will open the batting alongside Will Young, while Abbas is a solid middle-order batsman.

The others in the batting line-up include Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Hay, and Tom Latham. William O’Rourke will lead the pace department along with Jacob Duffy and Ben Sears, while Adithya Ashok, who has played just one T20I, will lead the spin department.

New Zealand Expected Playing 11

Henry Nicholls (WK), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell (C), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, William O’Rourke, Adithya Ashok

Pakistan

Pakistan’s struggles on the cricket field seem to have no end. After a humiliating exit from the Champions Trophy, the team has suffered a 4-1 rout in the T20 series against the Black Caps. The team will now look to redeem itself as they start afresh in the ODI series.

Mohammad Rizwan will take over the mantle of the team from Salman Agha with the latter retaining his place as an all-rounder. Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, and Imam ul Haq also make a comeback in the sqaud, adding heft to the batting line-up.

The middle order is likely to see the presence of Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf, both of whom are quality all-rounders ll and can make an impact with the bat as well as the ball.

Coming to the bowling, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who were a part of the T20 series, have been dropped, while Naseem Shah makes a comeback. He will be joined by Mohammad Wasim Jr. Pakistan has also included youngsters Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali, both of whom are yet to play an ODI.

Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed retain their place as the spinners.

Pakistan Expected Playing 11

Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Mohammad Ali, Abrar Ahmed.

NZ vs PAK Toss Prediction

7 of the last 10 ODIs played in Napier have been won while chasing. Also, in 7 of the last 10 matches, the team winning the toss has opted to bowl first. We, therefore, feel that the skipper winning the toss will likely opt to bowl first.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch in Napier is usually well-balanced, providing equal opportunities to both, the batsmen and the bowlers. The average first-inning score here is around 224. The seamers will get some movement early in the match, especially when the ball is new. However, once the batsmen settle down, they can try and play their shots.

The spinners will also get some turn during the latter half of an inning.

The weather is likely to be cloudy with temperatures under 20 degrees.

NZ vs PAK: Who Will Win?

We are backing New Zealand to win this match. They were clinical with their performance during the T20 series and will be high on confidence as they head here. That said, Pakistan has included some veterans in the squad and is expected to put up a better performance in the 50-over format.

NZ vs PAK Win percentage is 64% in favor of New Zealand.

Todays Match Prediction: New Zealand to win