After the second 50-over clash was rained out in Napier on Thursday, New Zealand will take a 1-0 lead to Eden Park in their final match before taking on Australia over three ODIs and two Test matches, beginning next Wednesday.
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“I’m just looking forward to the last month of being around the boys, playing amongst the New Zealand cricket team, and having a good time”.
Malik said there were plenty of lessons for Pakistan to learn from the tour. New Zealand has been a force to reckon with at home and they have continued the show of their domination match by match, series by series. Their performances in New Zealand have been such that speculation in Pakistan suggested head coach Waqar Younis was even contemplating stepping down from his role.
It’s something Pakistan should look to emulate. “I’ve been really impressed with what we’ve seen from the younger guys as well”.
Citing the rivalry between New Zealand and Australia, Hesson stated that the Black Caps are eager to retain the Chappell-Hadlee trophy which they won in 2015 during the Cricket World Cup clash in Auckland.
Brendon McCullum of New Zealand bats during the first One Day International match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval.
All-rounder Anwar Ali has been replaced by left-arm pacer Rahat Ali while batsman Mohammad Rizwan has come in for all-rounder Imad Wasim.
Malik also revealed that he played the preceding three-match T20 series with painkillers and a strapped foot.
The 34-year-old said that he has had a couple of hits in the nets and although he isn’t 100% fit, he hopes to feature in the side on Sunday.
New Zealand squad for Australia one-day series: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham*, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson.
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The Pakistani player and captain of ODI team Azhar Ali would need all the competence and experience to save Pakistan from the rout.
