Pakistan are freed up to experiment a little in a bid to prepare for the World Cup later this year.
Pakistan vs New Zealand | Fourth ODI | Friday 5 May 2023 | National Stadium, Karachi | 12:30
Pakistan 42/100 | Tie 25/1 | New Zealand 39/20
Fakhar Zaman couldn’t notch another ton after three in a row leading into match three of this series but Pakistan still got the job done.
It would be Imam-ul-Haq who weighed in with the biggest score for the hosts this time while there were once again decent contributions from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
The pitch has become a little tougher to bat on as the series wears on and might be a challenge in match four.
It seems that both the quicks and spinners found more to work with but once batters get going life gets tougher with ball in hand.
Diverse contributors to New Zealand’s cause have given them reason to be positive despite a one-side ODI series.
Daryl Mitchell has been in the runs and others have enjoyed a fair amount of time in the middle like Tom Latham and Tom Blundell.
Matt Henry has had a decent tour of Pakistan in conditions that haven’t really suited his rapid fast bowling and swing.
Spin-bowling allrounder Cole McConchie could be one to watch with the Cricket World Cup looming.
Verdict: Pakistan
Pakistan look too strong in this format.
