Wellington, March 28, 2025: After a disappointing T20I series against New Zealand, Pakistan will be looking to turn the tide in the upcoming ODI series. With the return of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the team aims for redemption after a disastrous Champions Trophy campaign, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
As Pakistan gears up for the first ODI, the team management faces key selection dilemmas, including Babar Azam’s batting position and whether Naseem Shah deserves a place in the playing XI.
During the Champions Trophy, Babar Azam was pushed up to open the innings due to injuries to Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, a move that failed to produce results. With Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq now available as designated openers, Babar is expected to return to his natural No. 3 position, where he has been highly successful.
Statistically, Babar has been a dominant force at one-down, amassing 5,416 runs at an average of 60, with all of his ODI centuries coming from that position. Given his track record, the move back to No. 3 appears to be the best option for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s middle order remains a point of concern, with experienced players Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman providing stability. However, the selection of Khushdil Shah and potentially Tayyab Tahir raises questions about reliability in crucial situations. With Faheem Ashraf’s availability uncertain, Pakistan might have to gamble on these relatively inexperienced players.
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the 1st ODI is the exclusion of Naseem Shah. The pacer had a poor Champions Trophy, managing just two wickets at an average of 50. His underwhelming performance in the recent tri-nation series against New Zealand and South Africa further weakens his case for selection.
With the late inclusion of Haris Rauf in the squad, Pakistan’s pace attack is expected to be led by Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, and Mohammad Ali, leaving Naseem out of the playing XI.
Pakistan’s spin department also faces a shake-up, with Sufiyan Muqeem likely to be the preferred choice over Abrar Ahmed. While Abrar struggled against New Zealand’s batting lineup, Sufiyan impressed in the final T20I, showcasing his variations and troubling the Kiwi batters. Given his impact, he is expected to lead Pakistan’s spin attack in the ODIs.
Pakistan’s Probable XI vs New Zealand:
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali, Sufiyan Muqeem
