3 keys to Pakistan beating New Zealand in the ODI series

The debate about Pakistan's form in ODIs continues to rage. The glory and elation of the Champions Trophy win in 2017 has faded. The focus now is on the ICC World Cup in 2019. Pakistan's performance in the recently concluded Asia Cup left many of its supporters worried about the team's prospects of having a chance to win the World Cup.

Post the Asia Cup, the ever vibrant cricket savvy media in Pakistan started zeroing in on captain Sarfraz's poor run with the bat. They attributed the mistakes he made on the field, as captain, to his poor form with the bat. Grumblings about his future as captain and maybe even as a player in the ODI side began to build steam. Coach Arthur and his over-controlling methods faced renewed criticism as well.

Pressure on the selectors to tinker with team selection methodology began to formulate on social media. And then all of a sudden the Aussies came to town. With them, came their high reputation as winners. The fear of another Asia Cup like debacle was real and imminent.

In an unguarded moment of frustration, Sarfraz had let the world know during the Asia Cup that the pressure from losing was keeping him awake at night. So, in the wake of the Australia series, questions about his state of mind and his ability to withstand pressure began to arise.

Fortunately for Pakistan and Sarfraz, when all seemed lost, things turned around dramatically, albeit in Test and T20 formats- not in ODIs. Sarfraz found form with the bat and along with it returned his confidence to lead his team to moments of glory again. The Australian tour was a resounding success for Pakistan and the team was anxious to face New Zealand next.

New Zealand is no slouch and has a reputation as a hard working team that always challenges its opponents even in unfamiliar overseas conditions. In the T20 series to start off the tour, Pakistan once again, like they did against Australia, played with maturity, confidence, and consistency to dismiss the Kiwis fairly comfortably.

Now, the ODI series is a couple of days away. However, the road to victory in the ODI series may not be that smooth. Pakistan's resolve in ODIs will once again be tested. For them to overcome the Kiwi challenge, three key players will have to step up.

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#3 Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik has become Pakistan's most dependable player over the last few years. With maturity, he has embraced responsibility. He has, in many ways, been the lone warrior who has put up any semblance of resistance when his team has struggled. He has played a major role in guiding Pakistan to key victories as well.

Without his continued contribution, Pakistan will struggle and the Kiwis know that if they can get Malik's scalp early in his innings, half of their job will have been done. So, Malik's performance will be one of the keys to Pakistan's success.

#2 Imad Wasim

Imad Wasim

Imad's addition to the ODI squad came as a bit of a surprise to many. However, his omission was largely a result of him being injured and not regaining the requisite fitness level to merit a place in the side. But now that he's fully fit and has performed well in the T20 series against the Kiwis, his inclusion is justified. More importantly, he adds more variety in the form of a useful left-arm spinner and a hard hitting lower middle order batsman to the Pakistan line up.

His accurate stump-to-stump bowling and agility on the field will be an added challenge for the Kiwis to overcome. Further, his reputation as a big hitter will be a welcome addition to Pakistan's lower order that lacks a reliable big striker of the ball. His quick 20 or 30 runs may be the difference between a win or a loss for Pakistan.

#1 Sarfraz Ahmed

Captain Sarfraz

Pakistan's number 1 key to success in this series is the performance of Sarfraz- both as captain and a batsman. The skipper seems to have come out of his batting slump, as recent performances suggest. So, his optimism and confidence are well placed. However, he is yet to play in an ODI series since the Asia Cup.

His batting performance in the lower middle-order will, in large parts, determine whether Pakistan can set the Kiwis a challenging total or chase down a stiff target. In addition, his captaincy skills in marshaling his troops on the field will be tested. New Zealand is a very well led, street-smart team. The Pakistan skipper will have to be at his best to lead his team to victory.

Positive vibes are dominating in the Pakistan camp these days; the question is, can Pakistan put it all together and deliver in this important ODI series?