Live Cricket Score | Pakistan vs New Zealand Live Score & Commentary | PAK vs NZ Scorecard, New Zealand tour of Pakistan

1st ODI • Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium • Rawalpindi

Pakistan

New Zealand

Match abandoned due to security concerns

Info

Fantasy

Live

Scorecard

Match has not started yet

Match Info

Date & Time

17 Sep, 03:00 PM IST

Venue

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Match

1st ODI,

New Zealand tour of Pakistan

Toss

Toss yet to take Place

Commentary

Both PCB and NZC have given their official word. The last-minute withdrawal was looking inevitable towards the end. While the New Zealand camp are worried about their departure, Pakistan's PM Imran Khan has assured that they will be given top-level security and easy departure from Pakistan to their homes back in New Zealand. PCB is willing to continue the series but NZC has decided to abandon the series.

David White, the chief executive of NZC has said that they cannot proceed with the tour given the advice he was receiving. He said that the PCB are wonderful hosts and it would come as a huge loss for them but players' safety is the first priority. New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills, added to it by mentioning how they fully support this decision. They believe that their players are safe and they will not comment anything on the security alert threat.

The BLACKCAPS are abandoning their tour of Pakistan following a New Zealand government security alert.

Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure.

More information | https://t.co/Lkgg6mAsfu
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 17, 2021

PCB is willing to continue the scheduled matches. However, cricket lovers in Pakistan and around the world will be disappointed by this last minute withdrawal. 4/4
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 17, 2021

We have assured the NZ cricket board of the same. The Prime Minister spoke personally to the Prime Minister of New Zealand and informed her that we have one of the best Intelligence systems in the world and that no security threat of any kind exists for the visiting team.
2/4
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 17, 2021

Following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the BLACKCAPS will not continue with the tour. Arrangements are now being made for the team’s departure #PakvNZ #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) September 17, 2021

Now confirmed by NZC:

“The BLACKCAPS are abandoning their tour of Pakistan following a New Zealand government security alert.”
— Andrew Gourdie (@AndrewGourdie) September 17, 2021

Update: The entire tour has been called off due to security concerns.

Update: The toss seems to be delayed for now and it seems like there is a bit of uncertainty everywhere that the players have been asked to stay in. Stay tuned for further updates!

Need a bit of help with your fantasy teams? Cannot decide which player to bench and which player to include for the contest? Fret not, scroll down a little, read the fantasy article compiled by your Sportskeeda's very own reliable team and get going!

PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction: Fantasy Cricket Tips, Today's Playing 11 and Pitch Report for 1st ODI

Hello and a warm welcome to Sportskeeda's live coverage of the 1st ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand here in Rawalpindi. This is me, Pradeep Somashekar and I'll soon be joined by my co-commentator Raghav Tikmany as we take you through everything that transpires in this first inning. Stay tuned for toss and playing XI updates!

Right. It seems a long time since New Zealand toured Pakistan for any kind of cricket. In fact, it has been more than 18 years since a tragic bomb blast mid-way through the Kiwis’ tour in 2002 cast an enormous cloud over the cricketing future of Pakistan.

Now, though, Pakistan seems to have emerged from those dark days and the fact that the Black Caps have shown the inclination to tour the nation is incentive enough for the cricket community to keep themselves glued to their television sets.

Speaking of the series itself, it may perhaps pale in comparison to its Test and T20I counterparts. Not just because this is not a part of the ODI Super League, owing to the PCB’s inability to secure DRS services, but also because the T20 World Cup – the other premier white-ball tournament is a stone’s throw away.

Additionally, the IPL is going to begin in a few days’ time and while Pakistan have not had much to do with that particular competition, it has meant that New Zealand have had to send a relatively second-string side sans Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

Nevertheless, Pakistan, of all teams would know that the Kiwis must not be taken for granted and that they, despite the lack of first-team stars, have enough in the tank to cause a flutter. The likes of Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra are the new kids on the block and what they lack in international experience, they make up with extraordinary bravery, courage and of course, confidence.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will be able field most of the players that would ideally make their first-choice eleven. If they are good enough to upstage New Zealand remains another matter altogether though.

A couple of months ago, the Asian outfit struggled against a much-changed English outfit – an English outfit that was assembled a day before the series began. For large swathes, Pakistan looked too reliant on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan and while that might not change anytime soon, it certainly feels time that the other batters begin carrying their weight.

Bowling wise, Pakistan are in a much better space. Not just because that has historically been their stronger suit and the supply line is much better but also because they have a certain Shaheen Shah Afridi in their ranks – a bowler who has slowly but surely cast himself as one of the best left-arm pacers on the planet.

Thus, there is enough to suggest that Pakistan should be able to see off New Zealand’s challenge, considering the players they have at their disposal and the fact that the Kiwis haven’t won an ODI at Rawalpindi, which incidentally, is slated to host the entire series.

Yet, not many know which Pakistan side would turn up on Friday, meaning that anything can still happen. They could either blow the Kiwis away or they could crumble, just like they did against England. What they might be able to ensure is entertainment.

And, for a series that has perhaps slid into the periphery, especially with everything happening elsewhere, this could probably be the ideal starting point too!