In the 35th installment of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, a thrilling showdown is set to unfold as New Zealand faces Pakistan at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Saturday, November 4. New Zealand enters this encounter on the heels of a disheartening loss to South Africa, where they struggled both with the bat and ball. With three consecutive defeats, New Zealand’s performance against Pakistan will be closely watched.

On the flip side, Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, enters the match with newfound momentum following their victory over Bangladesh. After enduring back-to-back losses, the Men in Green finally returned to their winning ways and are determined to extend their winning streak.

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c & wk), Mark Chapman/Jamesh Neesham, Devon Conway, Will Young, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Trent Boult Daryl Mitchell,  Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee,

Pakistan: Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Iftikhar Ahmed,   Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir,  Haris Rauf

The ODI World Cup 2023 has reached a critical juncture for both Pakistan and New Zealand, as they teeter on the brink of reaching the semifinal stage. Undoubtedly, the upcoming match holds immense importance for both teams. Regarding their ODI history, these two sides have squared off in 115 matches, with Pakistan emerging victorious in 60 encounters and New Zealand securing 51 wins.

In the current season, the Kiwis have triumphed in four matches, while the Men in Green have claimed victory in three contests. As the 2015 and 2019 finalists prepare to lock horns, it’s evident that Pakistan has been steadily building momentum throughout the tournament. Therefore, we believe that Babar Azam and his team will come out victorious in the forthcoming match.

Tom Latham, New Zealand’s temporary captain, has been fortunate to win the toss in two out of the last three instances. Likewise, Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, has also secured two toss victories in their recent three encounters. Looking ahead to the upcoming match on Saturday, we anticipate that Tom Latham will continue his streak of luck and win the toss against Azam.

The pitch at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is a paradise for batsmen. The combination of a fast outfield and shorter boundaries makes it an ideal setting for accumulating runs. Choosing to bat first and setting a substantial total could be a strategic advantage in this venue.

As for the weather forecast in Bengaluru on the match day, we can expect a temperature of approximately 26°C with 64% humidity and a moderate wind speed of 3.19 m/s. There’s a possibility of light rain and some cloud cover, which could offer support to the pace bowlers, potentially altering the dynamics of the game.

Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Situated in:  Bengaluru, India

Seating Capacity: Approximately 32,000