- MATCH ANALYSIS IN BRIEF
| Date | Saturday, 4th November, 2023, at 10:30 (IST) and at 5:00 (UK) |
| Venue | New Zealand vs Pakistan will take place at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India |
| Weather | Conditions are expected to be hot with spells of sunshine and temperatures of around 28 C, but there is a chance of thundery showers across the scheduled hours, although the light winds could direct those away from the ground |
| TV & Streaming | Viewers in India: you can watch this match live on Star Sports channels or stream it via the Disney+ Hotstar app. |
| Viewers in Pakistan: you can watch this match live on both PTV Sports and A-Sports or stream it through the PTVFLIX App. | |
| Viewers in Sri Lanka: you can watch this match live on Maharaja TV or stream it on Sirasatv. Lk. | |
| Viewers in Afghanistan: you can watch this match live on Ariana TV. | |
| Viewers in Bangladesh: you can watch it on Gazi TV or stream it through Rabbithole. | |
| Viewers in the UK: you can watch this match live on Sky Sports or stream it via the Sky Go App. | |
| Viewers in Australia: you can watch this match live on Fox Sports or stream it via the Foxtel or Kayo Sports app. | |
| Viewers in South Africa: you can watch this match on SuperSport channels or stream it via the SuperSport app. | |
| Viewers in the USA and Canada: you can watch this match live on Willow TV, whilst viewers from the USA can also stream it via the ESPN+ app. |
KEY BETTING STATS
- New Zealand have lost each of their last three 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup group stage matches – To Win the Match
- .Shaheen Shah Afridi is averaging over two wickets per game across this 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup so far – Bowler Milestones
- .Devon Conway has scored under 32.5 runs in each of New Zealand’s last four 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup group stage matches – Batter Match Runs
.BETTING ANALYSIS For NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand remains in a good position to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-finals, but having suffered their third consecutive defeat against South Africa on Wednesday, things are starting to get worrying. The Proteas were dominant in Pune, winning by 190 runs in a match that saw New Zealand suffer another injury, pace bowler Matt Henry forced off with a hamstring problem during his sixth over. Fellow pacer Lockie Ferguson could at least return here after missing the last game with an Achilles issue.
These fitness issues regarding the Black Caps bowling attack put a lot of pressure on Trent Boult’s shoulders. The left-arm quick is New Zealand’s primary wicket-taking threat with the new ball and, with nine wickets in his last five appearances, warrants backing to take over 1.5 wickets (1.66) here via the ‘Bowler Match Wickets’ market. The same bet is also worth placing on Tim Southee (2.00), whose first appearance of this World Cup saw him record figures of 2/77 against South Africa.
New Zealand’s top order completely misfired in Pune, and after an excellent start to the tournament, there may be some concerns over Devon Conway’s recent lack of runs. Scores of 2, 28, 0, and 20 underline his recent struggles, and backing him to accrue under 32.5 runs (1.83) for a fifth consecutive match appears a smart play.
Should Kane Williamson be passed fit to play, it would serve as a huge boost to the Black Caps. Their skipper has not featured since fracturing his thumb on 78 not out against Bangladesh. He has since returned to the nets, and should he be named in the starting line-up against Pakistan, a batter of his class merits a small stake to finish as New Zealand’s top batter (5.00).
BETTING ANALYSIS For PAKISTAN
Pakistan didn’t let their narrow one-wicket defeat at the hands of South Africa curtail their World Cup hopes. Babar Azam’s side rallied brilliantly in Kolkata this past Tuesday, bowling Bangladesh out for 204 and chasing their victory target down in just 32.3 overs with seven wickets remaining. After sitting out that match through concussion, Pakistan will be very careful regarding whether to bring Shadab Khan back into the side, and it may be that he misses this game as well, with Usama Mir continuing as the leg-spinning all-rounder.
Abdullah Shafique has been a consistent source of runs at the top of the order and boasts scores of 68, 9, 58, and 64 across his last four innings. With this in mind, back the Pakistan opener to accrue over 27.5 runs (1.83) against New Zealand, and those bettors, after a higher return, should consider backing him to score a fifty (3.30) for a fourth time in five games.
Fakhar Zaman made the most of his recall back to the side in place of the out-of-form Imam ul-Haq, smashing 81 vs the Tigers in a knock that included 7 sixes. Zaman’s aggressive style of play is suited to clearing the boundary rope and backing him to score 0.5 match sixes (2.50) in this one, which represents excellent value.
Haris Rauf hasn’t made the headlines in the same way that fellow fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has, but the right-arm pacer continues to tick along nicely, taking over 1.5 wickets in three of Pakistan’s last four group games. Back the same outcome (2.00) vs. the Black Caps, although when it comes to Shaheen, there is better value in backing him via the ‘Bowler Milestones’ market to pick up 3+ wickets (3.75).
CRICKET 8’S EXPERT PREDICTION
When we get to the latter stages of the ICC Cricket World Cup group stage, momentum can make all the difference. Right now, Pakistan may just be starting to build up a head of steam while all the momentum garnered by New Zealand earlier in the tournament is fizzling out. Injuries are not helping their cause, and the bowlers are being dealt some rough treatment by opposition batters, conceding 740 runs across their last two games.
It wouldn’t be the first time Pakistan rallied as a unit to string together a run of wins late in an ICC major tournament, and that victory over Bangladesh may well prove a springboard for them going into this and the rest of their group games. With Shaheen bowling rockets and Haris Rauf as consistent as ever, they’ll make it very difficult for New Zealand to score a high volume of runs here, and backing Pakistan to record back-to-back group wins looks the right move to make.
TIP
PAKISTAN TO WIN (2.00)
