Pakistan captain Azhar Ali claims to have resolved his issues with convicted spot-fixer Mohammad Amir and aims to “get the best out of him” if the left-armer comes under his leadership tomorrow in the opening one-day worldwide against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve.
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Taylor suffered a left-side strain during the Black Caps’ T20 win over Pakistan in Wellington on Friday.
Taylor hopes to be fit for the Test series with Steven Smith’s side, which starts on February 12.
New Zealand’s recent ODI performance has been impressive and its ICC ODI rankings is also better than Pakistan as Kiwis stand at fourth position whereas Pakistan is placed at eighth. McCullum will retire after the Australia series next month.
The first game of the 3 matches ODI series will be played at the Westpac stadium, where the 3rd T20 match was also played. The last ODI played at this venue was way back in 2005 between New Zealand and Australia.
However, the focus is going to be on the bowlers in the first game as the pitch at the venue is expected to be full of runs.
New Zealand, meanwhile, had no problems with Amir’s return and all-rounder Grant Elliott saw the “trampoline” effect imposed by the giant Irfan as probably more of a concern. Umar Akmal isn’t part of the squad and the visitors will need the likes of Mohammed Hafeez, Shoaib Malik and Azhar Ali to step up.
Reflecting on his current bonding with Amir, Azhar said that he and the recalled fast bowler had moved on and were looking forward to the challenge ahead, the Express Tribune reported. “Whatever my stance was, my job is to lead and keep harmony in the dressing room”. “Obviously we will try to put a combination together which suits these conditions and the wind factor”.
In the Pakistan side, with Azhar Ali leading the side, lots of things will be changed from the T20 series in which Shahid Afridi was the skipper of the team.
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New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson (captain), Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, B.J. Watling, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan.
