For a change, Pakistan will begin as the favorites to win
this six-match ODI contest after triumphing 1-0 in the two-Test series earlier
this month.
Misbah-ul-Haq led Pakistan to their first Test series
victory in four years in Wellington last week but it will be senior all-rounder
Shahid Afridi, who will captain Pakistan in the one-dayers.
Afridi made it clear on Friday that there won't be any
more experimentation in the ODI series as Pakistan will be looking to
consolidate their line-up for World Cup 2011 which kicks off from Feb. 19.
"What we need is stability and confidence in our
line-up before the World Cup," Afridi told Arab News.
"We will be going all out for maximum number of wins
in this series because that's the best way to get ourselves in good shape for
the World Cup," he added.
Afridi is confident that his team will not waste time in
switching to the 50-over format.
"There is going to be a lot of one-day cricket
starting from the series against New Zealand and then the World Cup," he
said. "The boys will have to quickly adjust to the 50-over format and I'm
sure that they will do it."
Pakistan has 'rested' Umar Gul for the series opener. The
pacer was in full flow during the Test series but will make way for Shoaib
Akhtar, who returns to national duty with the ODI series. Also out of the pace
attack is Wahab Riaz. The left-armer is suffering from fever and will be
replaced by Sohail Tanvir.
Pakistan have decided to open with Mohammad Hafeez and
Kamran Akmal, the wicketkeeper-batsman who returns to the Pakistan line-up
after missing the series against South Africa in UAE last November.
Spinner Saeed Ajmal has been overlooked as the team
management has decided to include Abdur Rehman in the playing eleven for the
first ODI.
New Zealand, meanwhile, will need to raise their game
after failing to win any of their last 11 ODIs.
The big-hitting Brendon McCullum won't open as he will
bat at No. 6. New Zealand will receive a boost with the return of Jacob Oram.
"My bowling's gone really well, I've been extremely
happy with the way the ball has come out. The runs haven't been flowing but I
don't feel far away," said Oram.
The hosts have picked pacer Hamish Bennett ahead of Jamie
How. Martin Guptill will open the innings alongside Jesse Ryder.
Kamran Akmal (wk),Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan,
Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul,
Abdur Rehman, Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Akhtar.
Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor,
Scott Styris, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum (wk), Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori
(captain), Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Hamish Bennett.
