Tri-Nation ODI Series | Pakistan vs New Zealand | Final | Karachi | February 14 | Pre-Match Discussion

[Cricket Warrior]

Pakistan lost its first match against New Zealand. However, Pakistan thrashed South Africa in their record breaking chase to secure a 6 wicket win against South Africa at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February which earned them a spot into the final of the Tri Nation Series.

With both teams eyeing the Tri-Series trophy this promises to be a thrilling battle. Pakistan’s aggressive approach meets New Zealand’s disciplined gameplay, setting up a contest that could go down to the wire. Will Pakistan continue their fearless run or will New Zealand’s tactical brilliance prevail? Only time will tell as cricket fans gear up for an unforgettable final!

Squads:

New Zealand Squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, William ORourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Pakistan Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel

=====

Warning:

All posters please take note of the following guidelines for match threads on PakPassion:

1. No personal insults at other posters, players, officials, coaching staffs etc.

2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.

3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.

4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions can be added.

 

[Waqasm75]

This team should play the final match:
01) Fakhar Zaman
02) Babar Zaman
03) Usman Khan
04) Tayab Tahir
05) Salman Agha
06) Muhammad Rizwan
07) Shaheen Shah Afridi
08) Khushdil Shah
09) Abrar Ahmed
10) Akif Javaid
11) Naseem Shah

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan are favorites after the great win against South Africa. Momentum is with them.

 

[Rajdeep]

I will be supporting NZ in this game.

 

[heddie19]

This team should play the final match:
01) Fakhar Zaman
02) Babar Zaman
03) Usman Khan
04) Tayab Tahir
05) Salman Agha
06) Muhammad Rizwan
07) Shaheen Shah Afridi
08) Khushdil Shah
09) Abrar Ahmed
10) Akif Javaid
11) Naseem Shah

If Usman needs to play, he should play only and only as an opener. Babar must bat at no.3 for heaven's sake.

 

[RizwanT20Champ]

If Usman needs to play, he should play only and only as an opener. Babar must bat at no.3 for heaven's sake.

@Rana thinks Usman is Bradman so that means he's useless and should be dropped.

 

[gazza619]

Pakistan needs to figure out how to bowl accurately

 

[Bewal Express]

My hopes for the final. Our bowlers find a method to contain the opposition on these flat and low tracks and Babar shows some form.

 

[sweep_shot]

This has been an entertaining tri-series. All 3 games have been good. Hoping for a good final.

 

[ataullah]

Akif MUST replace Hasnain so we see if he can improve our bowling.

Rest should be unchanged

 

[Shaka81]

This team should play the final match:
01) Fakhar Zaman
02) Babar Zaman
03) Usman Khan
04) Tayab Tahir
05) Salman Agha
06) Muhammad Rizwan
07) Shaheen Shah Afridi
08) Khushdil Shah
09) Abrar Ahmed
10) Akif Javaid
11) Naseem Shah

Who is Babar Zaman? The lesser known brother of Fakhar?!

 

[W63L35]

Bowling so far in the tournament - Pacers vs Spinners!




We have only Abrar .. and two part timers - Khushdil and Salman Agha.

 

[mominsaigol]

@Rana thinks Usman is Bradman so that means he's useless and should be dropped.

I'm open to giving usman one game atleast.

Pakistan tried KG and saud at no 3 both failed. No harm in trying usman at 3. If Usman fails just like Kg and saud did, then Pakistan will have to slot in Babar at no 3. And move saud to opening.

 

[jamie smith]

Please play Akif in place of chucker Hasnain.

 

[ads101]

1. Saud
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Rizwan
5. Salman
6. Tayaab
7. Khushdil
8. Shaheen
9. Naseem
10. Abrar
11. Akif/Hasnain

 

[BouncerGuy]

I don't think Pakistan is gonna make any change but I want to see Akif or Faheem in for Hasnain. Faheem can give you few hits and misses and can bowl like same as hasnain so maybe give RANA g a go.

 

[Kianig89]

Finally the final, lets hope for the best

 

[mon858]

Same team. Problem with playing Akif is its no use for champions trophy purpose as he is not in squad. Pitch is batting paradise and if Haris doesn't get fit for first game we need Hasnain to find a way to bowl better on same pitch against same opposition or we would know if he goes for 8 an over that we have to try Rana G or some other option for champtions trophy. My guess Haris Rauf will be back for champions trophy.

Saud looked good during brief stay and one loose shot that could have been six another day but maybe they told top 3 to attack and bring down run rate during first 10 overs before middle order can manage to get to target even with 50+ dot balls.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan need to improve bowling and try to restrict them to a lesser target.

 

[Kianig89]

Bowling is the main concern , leaking runs like a tube well

 

[Suleiman]

I will be supporting NZ in this game.

What a surprise, how can you switch after being such a die hard supporter of the men in green for so many years? Please, we need your fanfare and jubilation

 

[Hyder]

Bowling so far in the tournament - Pacers vs Spinners!

View attachment 150709


We have only Abrar .. and two part timers - Khushdil and Salman Agha.

This is because of how pakistan played against nz spinners
Else our only spinner didnt do much either what makes u think our second choice spinner can do great

 

[Hyder]

I don't think Pakistan is gonna make any change but I want to see Akif or Faheem in for Hasnain. Faheem can give you few hits and misses and can bowl like same as hasnain so maybe give RANA g a go.

If its between rana and hasnain. I d say faheem ll bowl better than him

 

[BouncerGuy]

If its between rana and hasnain. I d say faheem ll bowl better than him

Agreed.... I will play rana ahead of hasnain for this game...

 

[Amjid Javed]

Pakistan need to play NZ spinners a lot better than group stage game, they looked clueless against them.

Pakistan need to bowl a lot better, the 3 seamer, also the 5th bowling option are the major weak links

 

[shah9425]

I hope they bowl well

Hasnain as usual leaking runs

 

[Marooned]

Too much focus on bowling. The matches were hardly about bowling at all.

Belter wickets and batting shoot outs.

 

[mominsaigol]

Why is husnain so poor? Chuckers are usually goated bowlers.

 

[Rana]

Finally the final

Well yes, it’s finally the final…

 

[Fanboy375]

Babar needs to play a crucial knock.That will give Pak strong early runs.Afridi in dead overs were not good so far.

 

[PakPremi]

Agreed.... I will play rana ahead of hasnain for this game...

Faheem is most likely going to play as he needs game time and Hasnain is bowling rubbish mostly. Faheem will also guarantee his usual 15 bonus runs.

 

[PakPremi]

Abrar has played enough games now to bring control to his bowling, bowling too quickly allowing pace for batsmen to hit and time him easily.

 

[Advaith]

Pakistan should win this tournament.. Champion trophy match against India will be interesting to watch..

 

[Kianig89]

When will the Big Evil ala Faheem will be unleashed is there some gimmick till 23 Feb , or will he play the final tomorrow

Fakhar
Babar
Saud
Rizwan
Agha
TT
Khusdil
Faheem
SSA
Naseem
Abrar
-----------

 

[FearlessRoar]

Tri-Nation Series 2025 will have a winner tomorrow!

 

[FearlessRoar]

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner spoke in a press conference ahead of the final of the tri-nation ODI series against Pakistan:

“The crowd here is amazing, but it does feel like almost everyone will support Pakistan in the final of the tri-nation finals.”

“The matches have been high-scoring, and we expect the same in the final.”

“Pakistan batted really well while chasing. We are expecting another great match in the final.”

“We played two matches in three days, so there was some fatigue, but we got a good rest in Karachi.”

“Rachin is feeling better, but we are not taking any risks. We are monitoring his condition closely.”

 

[Justcrazy]

Faheem is most likely going to play as he needs game time and Hasnain is bowling rubbish mostly. Faheem will also guarantee his usual 15 bonus runs.

If you play Faheem , you need to get him up the order

 

[Human786]

another crazy run-fest on offer .... wonder what is a par score batting 1st ?

 

[mon858]

If you play Faheem , you need to get him up the order

not in favor of Faheem, he will do worse than Hasnain in these conditions trust me. but if management does decide to play him, i am not opposed to sending him one down if early wicket falls so we can again aim for 80-90 in first 10 overs and set the platform for middle order to achieve at 330-350 type total, by simply scoring 6.5 an over rest of innings. Otherwise, expecting lower order to score 8-10 over is unrealistic.

 

[jamie smith]

not in favor of Faheem, he will do worse than Hasnain in these conditions trust me. but if management does decide to play him, i am not opposed to sending him one down if early wicket falls so we can again aim for 80-90 in first 10 overs and set the platform for middle order to achieve at 330-350 type total, by simply scoring 6.5 an over rest of innings. Otherwise, expecting lower order to score 8-10 over is unrealistic.

He wouldn't bowl worse than Hasnain.

 

[Justcrazy]

not in favor of Faheem, he will do worse than Hasnain in these conditions trust me. but if management does decide to play him, i am not opposed to sending him one down if early wicket falls so we can again aim for 80-90 in first 10 overs and set the platform for middle order to achieve at 330-350 type total, by simply scoring 6.5 an over rest of innings. Otherwise, expecting lower order to score 8-10 over is unrealistic.

He needs to be played as bowling or batting all rounder. He should be used properly for limited overs , and hope that he fires with the bat.

Pakistan need to have batting till number 8 , this is not luxury but necessity for CT.

 

[RidiculousMan]

He wouldn't bowl worse than Hasnain.

He's literally capable of getting hit 9-10 an over here

 

[khyberlion]

He needs to be played as bowling or batting all rounder. He should be used properly for limited overs , and hope that he fires with the bat.

Pakistan need to have batting till number 8 , this is not luxury but necessity for CT.

Our batting depth will cost us games if we keep on having Shaheen at 8 who's no better than a no10.

 

[Omer2002]

Our batting depth will cost us games if we keep on having Shaheen at 8 who's no better than a no10.

Exactly my point which a big issue. I cant see a fix to this if Faheem plays then you sacrifice naseem or rauf with Khushdil playing its like having so called 7 batters and a huge tail.

All big teams bat till no 10 and thats why they are succesfull

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Exactly my point which a big issue. I cant see a fix to this if Faheem plays then you sacrifice naseem or rauf with Khushdil playing its like having so called 7 batters and a huge tail.

All big teams bat till no 10 and thats why they are succesfull

Lol which big teams does that cricket is game of specialist not those who can bat a bit bowl a bit have you guys not learned your lesson with shadab and nawaz being used as long batting pak suffered with their bowling woes.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Pakistan are favorites now after the win against South Africa

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan are favorites now after the win against South Africa

Yes. They have the momentum. I also think Pakistan are favorites to win the tri-series now.

 

[mon858]

He needs to be played as bowling or batting all rounder. He should be used properly for limited overs , and hope that he fires with the bat.

Pakistan need to have batting till number 8 , this is not luxury but necessity for CT.

don't agree. its not a necessity. Its useful and comes into play 2 out of 10 games. CT is only a 4-5 game tournament. you can get away with it. also our middle order generally plays low-risk cricket, so they can have decent partnership without playing high-risk shots and losing too many wickets, unless bowling is great or top quality spin that some of our batters like Babar struggle against.

also, issue is we do not have the luxury of having a proper/good all-rounder. I would rather have proper 4 bowlers for ODI, only 5th can be part-timers like we have.

i think for these conditions Pakistan really missed the trick by not selecting Sufyan as a backup. They could have kept him instead of Usman (if keeper is injured you can call backup real quick since you don't need to catch a flight to Australia, etc.).

I would rather play proper bowling, and more spin if helping on these conditions and against SENA and try to keep target down to under 300 if possible rather than play all rounder and risk going for 350+ which we know we can't chase every day - especially given CT teams will play full strength bowling mostly (barring Australia that got injuries).

don't always copy everyone else out there to cover your weakness. focus on your own strength and be better than others at that, will gain more success, than copying others on things you don't do well or have talent/skill for.

 

[mominsaigol]

Yes. They have the momentum. I also think Pakistan are favorites to win the tri-series now.

NZ bowling is alot tougher then SA. SA b string team was filled with trundlers.

I'm not taking anything away from Pakistan. Just letting you know NZ is stronger then PK atm.

In tri series it's NZ > PK > Sa.

In CT it's NZ > Pak > SA. Sa is stronger on paper with their full string but in tournaments their mental midget and Pak is eliminating them if sa manages to reach a semi.

 

[khyberlion]

Exactly my point which a big issue. I cant see a fix to this if Faheem plays then you sacrifice naseem or rauf with Khushdil playing its like having so called 7 batters and a huge tail.

All big teams bat till no 10 and thats why they are succesfull

Agreed. Kushdil is also not reliable and Tayyab is a poor batsmen. We seriously need a decent no 8. Faheem has had plenty of chances so he needs to go though I will have him over Husnain anyday.

Our lack of batting depth needs to be looked at is will cost us games the sooner we address this the better.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Karachi's wicket is a paradise for batting so team batting first cant even defend 400+ target here... so i think whoever chase the target here will get success... toss would play an important role.

 

[Bewal Express]

Pakistan are favorites now after the win against South Africa

Our bowlers aren't aggressive enough to hit the hard length and aren't fast enough to bowl full. We have serious issues on flat, low wickets