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New Zealand and Pakistan in the ODI and T20 series

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Wahab Riaz calls for ‘all-out attack’ against New Zealand

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Wahab Riaz goes through a fielding drill during a practice session.
Pace ace Wahab Riaz has fired the first volley at the New Zealand side, warning the Kiwis of a fast bowling test when they face Pakistan in the upcoming ODI and T20 series.

New Zealand hammered Sri Lanka in the five-match ODI series before sweeping the T20 fixtures 2-0. Along the way their batsmen broke a fewrecords as well.

But Wahab says Pakistan presents a whole new challenge to the swashbuckling hosts.

“It seems like cricket is very easy these days for the New Zealand batsmen,” Wahab told ESPNcricinfo.

“They’ve been hitting balls really well. It’s going to be a different challenge because we have much more good bowlers than Sri Lanka. They lacked experience, but we have experience and some quality bowlers as well. It’s not going to be easy for them to score runs against us.

“We cannot sit back and see what they are doing. We will definitely attack, and let’s see. If they can play good cricket - hats off to them,” he added.

Wahab, 30, was also part of the Pakistan team that defeated New Zealand 2-1 in T20s and 3-2 in one-day internationals on the 2010 tour to the country and hoped for a similar show when both the teams kick off their first T20 on Friday.

“We have some good memories here,” he said.

“We won the last series we played here in 2010, and the World Cup games we played here were very successful for us.

“It’s a great preparation for the World T20. Winning here against the Black Caps could be a great confidence booster for the team. They way they are playing right now - if we get the series win here, it will be great for Pakistan cricket.”

Amir will take pressure off me

For Wahab, 23-year-old Mohammad Amir’s inclusion in the team will strengthen Pakistan’s bowling lineup and will subsequently reduce pressure off him.

“Amir is a good inswing bowler, bowling with the new ball,” said Wahab. “He can bowl outswing as well. If you can take wickets with the new ball the pressure will always be on the batsmen. That’s I’m saying that him coming into the team will help us more.”

Wahab, who stunned the world cricket with his fiery spell to Australia’s Shane Watson during the 2015 World Cup quarter-final, was hopeful that his pace combination with Amir and Gul would give Pakistan a upper hand than what inexperienced Sri Lankan bowlers had against the in-form New Zealand batters.

“Amir is a great introduction to the team,” said Wahab.

“He’s getting a chance. He’s a great fast bowler – he’s proved that in the past. It’s time for him to prove here as well, again. And he will prove it. With him there’s less pressure on me as a bowler, because I’m getting his support. Umar Gul is back and is doing really well. It’s going to be a good combination for Pakistan.”

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Pakistan must take a feather from Black Caps

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PHOTO: AFP

“I’ve said it time and time again; this is the greatest time of our lives. We’re enjoying the experience, it’s been an incredible ride all the way through. The crowds that we’ve had turn up in New Zealand to support this team, the brand of cricket we’re trying to play, has been phenomenal. Hope they are all dreaming as much as we are, we’ve got a huge occasion in a few days’ time, and jeez it would be nice to win it,” New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum memorably said after his side’s semi-final win over South Africa in the 2015 World Cup.

New Zealand never did come close to winning that trophy, with McCullum falling on a duck in the very first over of the final. But they went out of the tournament the way they had played it throughout — with a smile on their face, hearts on their sleeves and no fear in their eyes. They were ultimately unsuccessful but they were unsuccessful on their own terms. They gave it their all and they had fun along the way doing it. And for that, they perhaps earned more respect and admiration than even eventual winners Australia.


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PHOTO: AFP

And their captain’s words before the final were indicative of their priorities. Talk of “enjoying the experience”, of “the greatest times of their lives”, of “the brand of cricket” they played. Only at the end, almost as an afterthought, came the mention of winning the biggest prize in the sport.

“It’s a must-win game for us. It won’t be easy because England played well in the last two games and won, but we all realise the importance of this game, we will do our hardest work to win the game,” said Pakistan captain Azhar Ali before the fourth and final ODI against England at home.

They too, like New Zealand in that historic final, were unsuccessful. But the difference in the language is telling; “must-win game”, “importance of the game”, “do our hardest work”.


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PHOTO: AFP

One is overshadowed by the rugby side back home, the other has its every move scrutinised. One is fearless and aggressive, the other is uncertain and timid. One attacks no matter what, the other goes with a decidedly defensive mindset. New Zealand and Pakistan are perhaps the two most contrasting teams in cricket right now, and while once they may have been the neutrals’ favourite two teams by a country mile, only one of them can lay claim to that title now.

The Black Caps have shown how much fun cricket can truly be, not only to watch but to play as well. Pakistan travel Down Under with much to prove but they are up against a dangerous opposition. New Zealand’s recent demolition of Sri Lanka highlighted their determination to enjoy themselves, to continue that ‘incredible ride’.

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PHOTO: AFP

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1st T20: Pakistan expect Amir to fire in New Zealand

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Amir delivers the ball as teammate Shoaib Malik looks on during a team practice session in Lahore on January 6, 2016. — AFP/File
AUCKLAND: The eyes of the cricket world will be on Pakistan in New Zealand on Friday with Mohammad Amir set to make his international comeback after serving a jail term and five-year ban for spot-fixing.

The 23-year-old is expected to be named in the starting lineup for the tour-opening T20 when Pakistan will pit their hostile bowling attack against a New Zealand unit brimming with form batsmen.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said he expected the young quick to cope with the intense scrutiny he will come under when he starts to bowl.

“It is hard to exactly tell how the whole thing is going to come up but my experience says that he is a smart kid, even at the age of 18 he was smart then,” Waqar said.

“He knows what he is doing and he is ready for that challenge.”

Amir was banned for five years in 2010 after being found guilty of spot fixing by deliberately bowling no-balls in a Test against England at Lords.

His return to the world stage adds to a bountiful pace armoury for Pakistan, which includes Anwar Ali, Aamer Yamin, Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz.

Riaz said Amir's in-swing ability with the new ball added to a range of hostile options.

“He's getting a chance. He's a great fast bowler, he's proved that in the past. It's time for him to prove here as well. And he will prove it,” Riaz said.

“With him there's less pressure on me as a bowler, because I'm getting his support. Umar Gul is back and is doing really well. It's going to be a good combination for Pakistan.”

Pakistan appear to have a much stronger bowling attack than the recently departed Sri Lankans, although opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad said Thursday New Zealand had to take a lot of credit for the way they batted.

“No doubt, they are playing wonderful cricket at the moment,” he said, referring to New Zealand's 2-0 sweep in the T20s against Sri Lanka following their 3-1 domination of the one day internationals and 2-0 Test victory.

“We are all aware of the style that they are playing is awesome to see actually, but we have to match them, and the boys are very prepared and ready to put up a good show,” he said.

The Eden Park ground has small boundaries which makes it ideal for the big hitters at the top of the New Zealand order.

Against Sri Lanka on Sunday, when New Zealand won by nine wickets with 60 balls to spare, Martin Guptill scored 63 off 25 deliveries, Colin Munro hit 50 off 14 while Kane Williamson added 31 off 21.

“They are playing without any fear and they have no issues with their places,” Shehzad added.

New Zealand will take on Pakistan in three T20s and three ODIs.

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So Hafeez will stop playing for Pakistan now
 
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Why should he stop playing he is a good player his stance was Wright after amir apology and meeting now everything is good hope whole team perform well best wishes to them
 
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Tough matches ahead for Pakistan as very hard to beat New Zealand on their home grounds especially when most of their players are in great form . They scored 147 runs in just 10 overs against no 1 t20 team sri lanka..looking forward to this series but Pakistani batting as usual seem fragile
 
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Bring back Asif ? Hmmm
Different case, no for me. I would like to see a power hitter up there, maybe instead of Umar Akmal, Noman Anwar is a great choice, selection is poor.
 
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@Zibago @DesertFox97

Your predictions? Who's gonna win these matches?

Mujhe koi nahi lagta Pakistan easily jeetay or Shayd jeetay bhi. They need some trainings on keeping clam and handling the pressure on.
 
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