Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI:-The combined batting performances from Imam-ul-Haq (90 off 107), Babar Azam (54 off 63), Mohammad Rizwan (32 off 34), Agha Salman (31 off 29) and Shadab Khan (21 off 10) assisted Pakistan to post a handsome total of 287 for 6 runs on the board in 50 overs, which was enough for Pakistani bowlers to defend here at National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night. Green Shirts defeated New Zealand by 26 runs in the 3rd One Day International and earn unbeatable lead in the 5-match tie 3-0. Earlier, Tom Latham won the toss and decided to field first, as in the first two ODIs won by Pakistan while chasing the target in Pindi cricket stadium few days back. Duo of left-handed opening batters, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq started the Pakistan’s innings. Imam-ul-Haq (90 runs, 107 balls, 4x7, 6x1) and Babar Azam (54 runs, 63 balls, 4x3, 6x1) were the top batters for Pakistan.Summarized Scorecard:Venue: National Cricket Stadium KarachiToss: New Zealand won the toss and elected to field firstMan of the Match: Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) Pakistan (Batting): 287 for 6 in 50 oversImam-ul-Haq (90 runs, 107 balls, 4x7, 6x1), Babar Azam (54 runs, 63 balls, 4x3, 6x1), Mohammad Rizwan (32 runs, 34 balls, 4x0, 6x1), Agha Salman (31 runs, 29 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Shadab Khan (21 runs, 10 balls, 4x1, 6x2)New Zealand (Bowling): Matt Hanry (3 for 54), Adam Milne (2 for 56), Cole McConchie (1 for 46)New Zealand (Batting): Target 288 in 50 oversTom Blundell (65 runs, 78 balls, 4x7, 6x0), Cole McConchie (60 runs, 42 balls, 4x6, 6x2), Tom Latham (45 runs, 60 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Will Young (33 runs, 41 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Daryl Mitchell (21 runs, 24 balls, 4x2, 6x0) Pakistan (Bowling):Mohammad Wasim (2 for 50), Nseem Shah (2 for 40), Shaheen Shah Afridi (2 for 52), Agha Salman (1 for 42), Pakistan (Playing XIs):Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, , Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, , Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim Junior   Reserves:Mohammad Haris, Haris Sohail, Shan Masood, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Ishanullah Khan   New Zealand (Playing XIs):Tom Latham (Captain), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Henry Shipley, Cole McConchie, Tom Blundell (Wicketkeeper), Adam Milne   Reserves: Chad Bowes, Ben Lister, Blair Tickner, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Schedule of Upcoming matches:May 5, 2023: 4th ODI at National Stadium KarachiMay 7, 2023: 5th ODI at National Stadium Karachi  

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Tuesday (May 2, 2023) revealed the complete schedule for the West Indies Men’s 2023 International Home Series against England, which will be commenced from the first week of December 2023.According to a press release, English team will start the tour in Antigua with two CG United ODIs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on 3 and 6 December 2023. The third match of three-match series will be played at Kensington Oval, Barbados on 9 December. The tour will be concluded in the week before Christmas with the fourth and fifth T20Is at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, which will be hosting a fixture between West Indies and England for the first time on 19 and 21 December and the first time that England has played on the island since 2009.Schedule (ODI Matches):1. December 3, 2023: CG United ODI, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua2. December 6, 2023: 2nd CG United ODI, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua3. December 9, 2023: CG United ODI, Kensington Oval, BarbadosSchedule (T20I Matches):1. December 12, 2023: Kensington Oval, Barbados2. December 14, 2023: Grenada National Stadium, Grenada3. December 16, 2023: Grenada National Stadium, Grenada4. December 19, 2023: Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad5. December 21, 2023: Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Imran Butt-led Pakistan Shaheens will start their Zimbabwe tour on May 3, 2023 with a four-day match at Kwekwe Sports Centre. Pakistan Shaheens had gone through an 11-day camp at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre in Karachi and later took part in an additional two-day camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on 28 and 29 April prior to their departure to Zimbabwe.The squad includes 16 players and four reserve players. Six players apart from the captain and Test cricketer Imran Butt have already represented Pakistan in international cricket. These include Hussain Talat (1 ODI, 18 T20Is), Kamran Ghulam (1 ODI), Mir Hamza (3 Tests), Mohammad Ali (2 Tests), Shahnawaz Dahani (2 ODIs, 11 T20Is) and Saim Ayub (8 T20Is).Captain Imran Butt said:“We have had a rigorous training camp for the Pakistan Shaheens team ahead of our tour to Zimbabwe. The players have put in a lot of hard work and effort to prepare for this important series.“The side consists of experienced and young players. We have some very talented individuals in the side who are eager to showcase their skills on the international stage.“The team is in good spirits and looking forward to the challenge of playing in Zimbabwe. We are confident that we have the right mix of players to put up a strong performance.”Pakistan Shaheens:Imran Butt (captain) (Lahore), Hussain Talat (vice-captain) (Lahore), Aamir Jamal (Islamabad), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta), Haseebullah (Quetta), Kamran Ghulam (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mir Hamza (Karachi), Mohammad Ali (Sialkot), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mubasir Khan (Islamabad), Omair Bin Yousuf (Karachi), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper) (Islamabad) and Shahnawaz Dahani (Larkana). Saim Ayub (Karachi, 50-over matches only). Asif Mehmood (Hyderabad), Athar Mehmood (Gujranwala), Saad Khan (Hyderabad) and Waqar Ahmad (Peshawar) (all reserves)Player Support Personnel:Aizaz Cheema (coach), Imran Abbas (manager), Saboor Ahmed (trainer), Mohammad Asad (physiotherapist) and Faisal Rai (team analyst). Abdul Rehman (Team Consultant, for 50-over matches only)Schedule:3-6 May – 1st Four-day match; KSC, Kwekwe10- 13 May – 2nd Four-day match; MSC, Mutare17 May – 1st 50-over match; TSC, Harare19 May – 2nd 50-over match; HSC, Harare21 May – 3rd 50-over match; HSC, Harare23 May – 4th 50-over match; OH, Harare25 May – 5th 50-over match; HSC, Harare27 May – 6th 50-over match; HSC, Harare

Pakistan achieve huge target of 337 runs in 48.2 overs, Mitchell’s ton goes in vainBy Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Alone Fakhar Zaman (180 not out) snatched a 7-wicket victory from Blackcaps in the 2nd match of the series, as the packed ecstatic crowd that oohed and aawed whole night long to ebb and flow of game at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Saturday. Now, Pakistan made 2-0 up in the five-match bilateral cricket rubber.While eyeing on 337 runs target in 50 overs, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq started the Pakistan’s quest, as Green Shirts lost their first batter at the total of 66 runs in 10.4 overs when Imam-ul-Haq was caught by Daryl Michelle on the bowling of Matt Henry at short mid-wicket position. Imam made 24 runs and faced 26 deliveries by hitting 3 boundaries.Meanwhile, left-handed batter, Fakhar Zaman completed his second back-to-back hundred in the series, as he lasted just 83 balls for his ton and smashed 14 boundaries and two huge sixes. Skipper Babar Azam also made his half century off 57 balls with the help of 4 fours. Both batters (Fakhar & Babar) gathered 135 off 122 balls for the second wicket, which put the team on track to reach the designation. Babar scored 65 runs in 66 balls, as he hit eight fours and one six during his vital innings. Home captain was trapped by Ish Sodhi, as Pakistan's total was 201 runs. Chad Bowes took Babar's catch.Fakhar Zaman (180 runs, 143 balls, 4x17, 6x6) and Mohammad Rizwan (54 runs, 41 balls, 4x6, 6x0) were unbeaten till the end of the match. Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi and Henry Shipley got a wicket for New Zealand.Earlier, Pakistan won the toss back-to-back second time in the ODI Series and again decided to field first. Opening batters, Will Young and Chad Bowes started the kiwis’ innings in the afternoon on a dry pitch of international cricket stadium Pindi. Daryl Michelle scored 129 runs off 119 balls including eight fours and three sixes. He was dropped by Naseem Shah at 96 at mid-wicket on the bowling of Usama Mir in 39th over. It was Michelle’s second consecutive ton in ODI, as he had scored century a couple of days back at the same venue. Kiwis skipper Tom Latham added 98 runs in his team’s total. He faced 85 balls and hit eight fours and a solitary maximum. James Neesham and Henry Nichools remained not out with 17 and 6 runs respectively. Also, 15 extra runs were in New Zealand’s total.Right-arm pacer, Haris Rauf toiled hard and snared 4 Kiwis batters on a dry surface while Naseem Shah grabbed single wicket after conceding 78 and 49 runs respectively in their 10 overs. Rest of the bowlers failed to produce any notable performance with the ball. Babar used six bowlers, as Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Ishanullah and Usama Mir gave 34, 40, 60 and 66 runs respectively.Summarized Scorecard:Venue: Pindi Cricket StadiumToss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field firstMan of the Match: Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) New Zealand (Batting): 336 for 5 in 50 oversDaryl Michelle (129 runs, 119 balls, 4x8, 6x3), Tom Latham (98 runs, 85 balls, 4x8, 6x1), Chad Bowes (51 runs, 51 balls, 4x7, 6x0), Will Young (19 runs, 22 balls, 4x4, 6x0)Pakistan (Bowling): Haris Rauf (4 for 78), Naseem Shah (1 for 49)Pakistan (Batting): Target 337 in 50 oversFakhar Zaman (180 runs not out, 143 balls, 4x17, 6x6), Babar Azam (65 runs, 66 balls, 4x5, 6x1), Mohammad Rizwan (54 runs not out, 41 balls, 4x6, 6x0), Imam-ul-Haq (24 runs, 26 balls, 4x3, 6x0)New Zealand (Bowling):Matt Henry (1 for 58), Ish Sodhi (1 for 59), Henry Shipley (1 for 79) Pakistan (Playing XIs):Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, , Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Ishanullah Khan, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Usama MirReserves:Mohammad Wasim Junior, Mohammad Haris, Haris Sohail, Shan Masood, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan New Zealand (Playing XIs):Tom Latham (Captain / Wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Henry Shipley, James Neesham Reserves:  Cole McConchie, Tom Blundell, Ben lister, Adam Milne, Blair TicknerSchedule of Upcoming matches:May 3, 2023:3rd ODI at National Stadium KarachiMay 5, 2023: 4th ODI at National Stadium KarachiMay 7, 2023: 5th ODI at National Stadium Karachi  

Green Shirts need 337 runs to win 2nd One Day InternationalBy Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Due a spectacular innings by Daryl Michelle (129 runs, 119 balls, 4x8, 6x3), New Zealand succeeded to put a mammoth total of 336 for 5 runs on the board in 50 overs in the 2nd match of the series at Pindi Cricket Stadium on, Rawalpindi on Saturday. Skipper Tom Latham added 98 runs in his team’s total.Earlier, Pakistan won the toss back-to-back second time in the ODI Series and against decided to field first. Opening batters, Will Young and Chad Bowes started the kiwis’ innings afternoon on a dry pitch of Pindi cricket stadium. Daryl Michelle scored 129 runs off 119 balls including eight fours and three sixes.Summarized Scorecard:Venue: Pindi Cricket StadiumToss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field firstMan of the Match: New Zealand (Batting):Daryl Michelle (129 runs, 119 balls, 4x8, 6x3), Tom Latham (98 runs, 85 balls, 4x8, 6x1), Chad Bowes (51 runs, 51 balls, 4x7, 6x0), Will Young (19 runs, 22 balls, 4x4, 6x0)Pakistan (Bowling):Haris Rauf (4 for 78), Naseem Shah (1 for 49)Pakistan (Batting):New Zealand (Bowling):Pakistan (Playing XIs):Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, , Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Ishanullah Khan, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Usama MirReserves:Mohammad Wasim Junior, Mohammad Haris, Haris Sohail, Shan Masood, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab KhanNew Zealand (Playing XIs):Tom Latham (Captain / Wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Nenry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Blair TicknerReserves:James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Tom Blundell, Ben lister, Henry Shipley

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam has won the toss and elected to field first against New Zealand in the second match of the five one day international matches series here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.Summarized Scorecard:Venue: Pindi Cricket StadiumToss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field firstMan of the Match: New Zealand (Batting):Pakistan (Bowling):Pakistan (Batting):New Zealand (Bowling):Pakistan (Playing XIs):Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, , Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Ishanullah Khan, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Usama MirReserves:Mohammad Wasim Junior, Mohammad Haris, Haris Sohail, Shan Masood, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab KhanNew Zealand (Playing XIs):Tom Latham (Captain & Wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryal Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Nenry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, James Neesham, Henry ShipleyReserves:Cole McConchie, Tom Blundell, Ben lister, Adam Milne, Blair Tickner  

By Abdul Jabbar FaisalRAWALPINDI: Pakistan defeated New Zealand by five wickets in the inaugural fixture of the five one day international matches series here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday night, as Green Shirts earned 1-0 lead thanks to left-arm batter Fakhar Zaman, who hammered a sparking ton of 117 runs off 114 balls, as his innings was studded with 13 boundaries and one impressive six. Pakistan reached on target of 289 for 5 in 48.2 overs.Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to pursue a set target. Blackcaps posted 288 for 7 runs on the board in 50 overs per innings. Daryal Mitchell made 113 runs of 115 balls including 11 fours and a single six was the top-scorer. Opening batter, Will Young scored 86 runs, as he lasted 78 balls. His innings was laced with eight boundaries and a couple of sixes. Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi snared two batters each after giving 29, 65 and 64 runs respectively. Shadab Khan claimed one wicket for Pakistan.Pakistan started their innings with Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq to chase a huge total of 289 runs in 50 overs, as the both players provided a solid start by aggregating 124 runs in the first wicket stand in 21.2 overs. Imam-ul-Haq scored 60 runs after wasting 64 balls, as he hit five fours and one huge six at mid-wicket boundary.Skipper Babar Azam played a responsible innings of 49 runs off 46 balls including three fours and one six. However, here of the day, Fakhar Zaman exhibited top quality cricket during his 117 runs innings. He smashed 13 fours and one six too. He was declared the best player of the match. Mohammad Rizwan contributed 32 runs in Pakistan’s victory. He lasted 25 balls and hit four boundaries and one six.  Summarized Scorecard:Venue: Pindi Cricket StadiumToss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field firstMan of the Match: Fakhar ZamanNew Zealand (Batting): 288 for 7 in 50 oversDaryal Mitchell (113 runs, 115 balls, 4x11, 6x1), Will Young (86 runs, 78 balls, 4x8, 6x2), Hanry Nichools (20 runs not out, 4x1, 6x0), 21 balls, Tom Latham (20 runs, 36 balls, 4x0, 6x0), Chad Bowes (18 runs, 26 balls, 4x3, 6x0),Pakistan (Bowling):Shaheen Shah Afridi (2 for 64), Haris Rauf (2 for 65), Naseem Shah (2 for 29), Shadab Khan (1 for 56)Pakistan (Batting): Target 289 runs in 50 oversFakhar Zaman (117 runs, 114 balls, 4x13, 6x1), Imam-ul-Haq (60 runs, 64 balls, 4x5, 6x1), Babar Azam (49 runs, 46 balls, 4x3, 6x1), Mohammad Rizwan (32 runs, 25 balls, 4x4, 6x1)New Zealand (Bowling):Adam Milne (2 for 60), Blair Tickner (1 for 44), Rachin Ravindra (1 for 48), Ish Sodhi (1 for 51)Pakistan (Playing XIs):Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris RaufReserves:Abdullah Shafiq, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Usama Mir, Mohammad Haris, Ishanullah, Haris SohailNew Zealand (Playing XIs):Tom Latham (Captain & Wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryal Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Nenry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Blair TicknerReserves:James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Tom Blundell, Ben lister, Henry Shipley 

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: New Zealand posted 289 for 7 runs target on the board for hosts Pakistan to register victory in the 1st One Day International of the five-match tie here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to pursue a set target. Daryal Mitchell (113 runs, 115 balls, 4x11, 6x1) and Will Young (86 runs, 78 balls, 4x8, 6x2) were the best batters while Haris and Afridi got each two wickets for Pakistan.Summarized Scorecard:Venue: Pindi Cricket StadiumToss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field firstMan of the Match:New Zealand (Batting): 288 for 7 in 50 oversDaryal Mitchell (113 runs, 115 balls, 4x11, 6x1), Will Young (86 runs, 78 balls, 4x8, 6x2), Tom Latham (20 runs, 36 balls, 4x0, 6x0), Chad Bowes (18 runs, 26 balls, 4x3, 6x0),Pakistan (Bowling):Shaheen Shah Afridi (2 for 64), Haris Rauf (2 for 65), Naseem Shah (2 for 29), Shadab Khan (1 for 56)Pakistan (Batting):New Zealand (Bowling):Pakistan (Playing XIs):Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris RaufReserves:Abdullah Shafiq, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Usama Mir, Mohammad Haris, Ishanullah, Haris SohailNew Zealand (Playing XIs):Tom Latham (Captain & Wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryal Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Nenry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Blair TicknerReserves:James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Tom Blundell, Ben lister, Henry Shipley

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first in the 1st One Day International of 5-match tie here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday afternoon.Pakistan (Playing XIs):Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris RaufReserves:Abdullah Shafiq, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Usama Mir, Mohammad Haris, Ishanullah, Haris SohailNew Zealand (Playing XIs):Tom Latham (Captain & Wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryal Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Nenry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Blair TicknerReserves:James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Tom Blundell, Ben lister, Henry Shipley

Sports Bulletin ReportRAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will begin on Thursday when they will take on New Zealand in the first of the five One-Day Internationals. The series will commence at the iconic Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, which will also host the second ODI on Saturday, before the two teams will fly south for the remaining three matches in Karachi.The two sides will enter the series after an exciting five-match T20 International series that ended in a 2-2 draw on Monday. That well-fought series promises equally competitive and exciting five matches for which both the sides have added a player each. Pakistan have added wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris and New Zealand has included Mark Chapman, whose extraordinary batting efforts in the T20Is earned him player of the series award.In addition to this series and in the lead up to the World Cup, which will be held in October/November, Pakistan are also scheduled to play three ODIs against Afghanistan in August and September’s ACC Men’s Asia Cup. As such, this series comes with the vital opportunity to gather the momentum.Both Pakistan and New Zealand have qualified directly for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 after finishing in the top-eight of the 13-team ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. New Zealand topped the Super League with 16 wins in 24 matches, while Pakistan finished fifth with 13 wins in 21 matches. Pakistan’s series against Afghanistan was mutually postponed after both the sides were assured of places in the event proper.Pakistan’s record since the start of last year has also been a remarkable one. They enjoy the win-loss ratio of 3, which is the best for any side. During this period, they have beaten Australia (2-1), West Indies (3-0) and the Netherlands (3-0) before losing to New Zealand (2-1) earlier in the year in Karachi.Babar Azam said:“Each and every match that we play from now on holds a great significance for us. This series is a brilliant opportunity for us to fine-tune our combinations and gather the momentum ahead of the mega events in the shape of Asia Cup and the much-anticipated World Cup.“This team has done well in the past one year in the one-day format and I have firm faith in my boys that they will perform according to expectations in the exciting next seven months.”Tom Latham said:“The T20Is proved an outstanding series and we’re looking forward to switching to one day mode now. The preparation wasn’t ideal but for us that wasn’t an excuse. It was about just keep getting better game from game and keep learning. We did that and to come out with a series draw after being two down was awesome.“It's going to be a tough ODI series on the back of what this T20I series has produced. We have seen some great games of cricket and the one-day series is going to be no different.“It’s a new format, and we have to adapt quickly. Hopefully we can do that straight away.”Thursday’s match will be the first between the two sides at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in 20 years. In 2003, New Zealand played two ODIs and lost both by seven wickets and 49 runs. A year earlier, Pakistan had defeated New Zealand by three wickets. Overall, Pakistan enjoy a healthy 18-5 on a head to head on home soil.On the ICC ODI Team Rankings, fifth-ranked Pakistan has a chance to move to the top of the table. However, to make it happen, they will have to win all the five matches against the second-ranked New Zealand. A 4-1 series win will lift Pakistan to third.In the ICC ODI Player Rankings, Pakistan captain Babar Azam is the No.1 ranked batter. He is sitting on 887 rating points and has a chance to break the 900-point threshold, which is the hallmark of a great batter. Zaheer Abbas (931) and Javed Miandad (910) are the only two Pakistan batters who have previously achieved the ratings of 900 or more.Imam-ul-Haq (third), Fakhar Zaman (10th), Tom Latham (32nd), Haris Sohail (47th) and Mohammad Rizwan (64th) are the other prominent batters to feature in the series and will be eying an upward movement with strong performances.New Zealand’s Matt Henry is the highest-ranked bowler from either side. He is ranked fifth, while Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi is 35 points behind in eighth position. If Shaheen takes the field on Thursday, then it will be his first ODI since taking one for 17 against the West Indies in Multan in June last year. Australia’s Josh Hazlewood is the number-one ranked bowler in the world.Pakistan Squads:Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usama MirNew Zealand Squad:Tom Latham (captain), Adam Milne, Ben Lister, Blair Tickner, Chad Bowes, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, Will YoungSeries schedule (all matches begin at 3:30pm)27 Apr – First ODI, Rawalpindi. Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Rashid Riaz (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Chris Broad (match referee)29 Apr – Second ODI, Rawalpindi. Aleem Dar and Rashid Riaz (on-field), Ahsan Raza (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Chris Broad (match referee)3 May – Third ODI, Karachi. Langton Rusere and Faisal Afridi (on-field), Joel Wilson (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire); Chris Broad (match referee)5 May – Fourth ODI, Karachi. Joel Wilson and Asif Yaqoob (on-field), Langton Rusere (third umpire), Faisal Afridi (fourth umpire); Chris Broad (match referee)7 May – Fifth ODI, Karachi. Langton Rusere and Rashid Riaz (on-field), Joel Wilson (third umpire), Asif Yaqoob (fourth umpire); Chris Broad (match referee)