nz look to fight back

Big picture

Pakistan broke their five-match losing streak with a thrilling win over New Zealand in Dubai. The bigger gain though, according to captain Misbah-ul-Haq, was the success of Haris Sohail's part-time left-arm spin as Pakistan look for options for the sixth bowler's slot, following Mohammad Hafeez's ban.

Hafeez's suspension, coming soon after Saeed Ajmal's suspension, has left Pakistan's combination for the series and the World Cup a little uncertain, and the side is actively exploring its options with batsmen who can bowl. With Hafeez likely to leave after the second ODI, to work on remodeling his action, Pakistan will have another vacant slot in their XI open for experimentation. The challenge for Pakistan - who have had an erratic year in terms of ODI results - will be to ensure that they keep winning and gain some momentum before the World Cup despite the experiments. 

The batting innings of both teams followed similar trajectories in the last game. While Misbah brushed off Pakistan's top-order stutter as "an off day", New Zealand's top order was missing Martin Guptill. In the field, New Zealand were done in by the level-headed stand between Shahid Afridi and Haris Sohail, and Nathan McCullum later said the side had missed "a key moment" when they failed to keep Pakistan's chase in check.

Ahead of the second ODI, however, the side received a boost when Kane Williamson was cleared to resume bowling in international cricket, enhancing the side's spin options in conducive conditions. A 0-1 scoreline has become a familiar sight for New Zealand on this tour but they have shown the tenacity to fight back. They levelled the Test series with an innings victory a few weeks ago and Kane Williamson was hopeful some of that confidence would rub off on the vastly different ODI side.

Form guide

(most recent first, completed matches only)
Pakistan WLLLL
New Zealand LLLWW

In the spotlight

	Jimmy Neesham's highest score on the tour has been 11 © Getty Images Enlarge

Jimmy Neesham has faced a dip in batting form since New Zealand's tour to the West Indies earlier this year. He made 16 and 10 in the ODIs against South Africa in October and his highest score on this tour has been 17. Ross Taylor's century carried New Zealand in the last game but if the top order fails, runs from Neesham will be crucial.

Pakistan experimented with Sarfraz Ahmed's batting order in the first ODI, pushing him down to No. 7. He scored only 26 but his resourceful innings revived a flagging chase, and provided Haris Sohail and Shahid Afridi the launching pad for their match-winning stand. He could return to the top order after Hafeez leaves the squad but for this game, Pakistan could look at keeping his batting position flexible.

Team news

Martin Guptill missed the first game due to a hamstring niggle while Corey Anderson was rested as a precautionary measure after being hit on the helmet during the first T20. Their fitness will be assessed on the morning of the game.

New Zealand (probable) 1 Anton Devcich, 2 Dean Brownlie, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Tom Latham, 6 Jimmy Neesham, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori, 9 Nathan McCullum, 10 Kyle Mills, 11 Adam Milne/Matt Henry

Pakistan are likely to opt for an unchanged XI but if they do change their XI, it could be in the bowling line-up with Sohail Tanvir possibly coming in in place of Umar Gul.

Pakistan 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Asad Shafiq, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Haris Sohail, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8 Shahid Afridi, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Wahab Riaz, 11 Mohammad Irfan

Pitch and conditions

The Sharjah pitch is known for high scores but during the last game that Pakistan played there - against Australia in October - it also offered help for the spinners. Williamson said that the track during the Test series was devoid of grass but had more pace and bounce than the other venues. Teams winning the toss and batting have won 66 of the 125 matches played at the venue.

Stats & trivia

• New Zealand's highest opening stand in 11 ODIs in 2014 is 56 - between Martin Guptill and Jesse Ryder against West Indies in January 2014. New Zealand's opening batsmen have had only two half-century stands in 2014 compared to Pakistan, who have had five, including a century partnership
• The most successful chase at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium was the 285 for 4 by West Indies against Pakistan, way back in November 1993
• Pakistan and New Zealand have played ten ODIs in Sharjah, with Pakistan winning all ten. Pakistan have not won more than five ODIs against New Zealand at any other venue.

Quotes

"Given the conditions our fast bowlers did well in the first game despite little support from the pitch, and I hope they continue to bowl like that."
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq

"There will be some good memories for some of the lads, but it is important we focus on what lies in front of us and the Pakistan side is quite different as well, so all those challenges need to be considered."
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson on the influence of the Sharjah Test on the current side