NZ vs PAK 2018: Mickey Arthur confident that Pakistan will be competitive against New Zealand

Pakistan are set to play five ODIs and three T20Is in New Zealand.

Mickey Arthur with Pakistan Team | Getty Images

Mickey Arthur –Head Coach of the Pakistan Team, on Tuesday, said he is confident that if Men in Green played to its potential, then it would definitely match ‘incredible’ New Zealand in the upcoming limited overs’ series starting with the first ODI at Wellington on 6 January.

Pakistan will open the limited overs’ tour with a one-day practice match against a New Zealand XI, starting today at Saxton Oval in Nelson before going into the five One-Day Internationals on Saturday.

As per Wisden India, Arthur said, “The team is very good and we have been having good training sessions. We have tried to acclimatise since arriving here because the conditions are different. We have covered all bases well, our team is good and we have consistent selection. We have a practice match, so we will tune up for the really great challenge ahead.”

The hosts Black Caps have an incredible record at home in the limited overs’ cricket as they have only lost one ODI series — against South Africa – at home since 2014, while beaten Australia thrice, Pakistan twice, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and West Indies once each in that period.

And Arthur also admitted that it will be a tough challenge for them to beat the hosts at their own condition, but is confident that his team also able to match the Kiwis. He added, “New Zealand in their conditions are an incredible team. Every team is good at home but the real challenge is to be good on away tours. If we play to our ability, then we can match them.”

Pakistan has announced the playing XI for the warm-up game, and the Coach said of the Team for the first ODI, “We have announced the team for tomorrow, it’s about consistency.”

Pakistan's playing XI for a Warm-Up Game:

Fakhar Zaman, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (capt, wk), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees.

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 03 Jan, 2018

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