World Cup Betting: New Zealand v Pakistan

Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 07 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Shahid Afridi is the dangerman

"New Zealand are expected to keep faith with the side that hammered Zimbabwe by 10 wickets, meaning there is still no room for allrounder Jacob Oram"

Ed Hawkins looks ahead to the Group A contest in Pallekele on Tuesday. Follow him on Twitter here for in-running recommendations

Team news
Pakistan, who overcame a typical wobble against Canada, have three wins from three and are expected to comfortably deal with New Zealand.

There are issues to resolve, however and we should not hold our breath that they come up with an answer. Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad are the weak links and coach Waqar Younis has identified that.

The problem is that Pakistan have not had a decent opening pair for years so they may as well let the duo get on with it and hope for the best.

Shoaib Akhtar and Abdur Rehman, who both missed the win over Canada, could return in place of Wahab Riaz and Saeed Ajmal respectively.

New Zealand are expected to keep faith with the side that hammered Zimbabwe by 10 wickets, meaning there is still no room for allrounder Jacob Oram.

Venue and conditions
The Pallekele stadium, in Kandy, is a new ground and only one match has been played there, the Test between Sri Lanka and West Indies at the end of last year which was badly affected by the weather. However, six of the eight wickets to fall went to the spinners but one could be charged with trying to read too much into that. The forecast is for sunny spells.

Match odds
This column does not rate [2.52] New Zealand in the least and anyone taking the [1.64] have a perfectly good wager. Pakistan have played New Zealand seven times in World Cups and lost only once. Of more relevance is the 3-2 victory over the Kiwis in an ODI series before the tournament began.

Doubts persist about New Zealand's batting when they come against a proper side and Shahid Afridi's brand of spin should sorely test them. He leads the wickets tally with 14 victims from three matches. He is also fifth in the overall economy rate with 2.60 runs per over from his 28 overs so far.

Top batsman - New Zealand
Martin Guptill (with 135 runs so far) and Brendon McCullum (118 runs) will have to provide a convincing opening start. The pair are [4.70] and [4.50] respectively for top-bat honours. Scott Styris is probably underrated at [9.60] while Daniel Vettori comes under Any Other at a poor value [4.40]

Top batsman - Pakistan
Misbah-ul-Haq (185 runs), Umar Akmal (129) and Younus Khan (128) have solid form behind them.

Featured market
Hafeez and Shehzad average just 25 together for the first wicket in their eight innings. If you can lay 30 runs or more at [3.00] then take it.

Best bet: lay Pakistan opening partnership for 30 or more at [3.00]

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