PAK vs NZ Match Prediction & Betting Tips - Jan 02, 2023

PAK vs NZ Match Prediction - Jan 02, 2023

Pakistan's cricket team does not often lose Test Matches in Karachi but it has been finding them tough to win in recent times. One win, one Draw, and one loss in the previous three matches played in Karachi are not numbers that Pakistan would be happy about. They ended 2022 without a single Test win at home even though they played seven matches. 

That is why Babar Azam and his men will be under tremendous pressure when they take on New Zealand in the second Test. New Zealand is out of the running for a place in the WTC Finals. They showed in the previous match that they are willing to play old-fashioned Test matches to try and grind out wins. A bit more spite in the surface could seriously test them. 

The odds being offered by the leading cricket betting sites for this match are quite competitive and you can find some good value for all the possible outcomes. 

Match prediction and cricket betting tips for Pakistan vs New Zealand 2nd Test Match 2023. The match will be played at the National Stadium, Karachi starting on the 2nd of January 2023.

PAK vs NZ Team Previews

Pakistan

Pakistan's tactics and team selection for the first Test match were baffling. They have a squad of 21 for a home Test match and now seem to have demoted Hasan Ali to their sixth choice. Their new chief selector, Shahid Afridi, is taking a personal and active interest in the selection of the playing eleven which will undermine the captain further. 

Chaos, though, has never prevented Pakistan from winning in the past and we doubt if it will in the future!

Karachi's surface should provide more help to the spinners this time around bringing Abrar Ahmed and Nauman Ali into the game. Abrar has more than 20 wickets in his first three Test matches and is off to an astonishing start to his Test career. We think he is going to be a big threat to New Zealand's batters in this match as well. 

The fast bowling department has been hit by injuries and seems to be a bit underpowered right now. Only one wicket was taken by the Pakistani fast bowlers in the previous match. We may see a change in the fast-bowling lineup once more. 

Among the batters, Babar Azam is a name that you cannot look past. 2022 was the best season for him in Test cricket and he could easily get another big score. Imam ul Haq and Saud Shakeel have also impressed with their consistency while Agha Salman seems to be a handy lower-order player as well. 

A lack of a fifth bowling option and the poor form of the fast bowlers are the biggest challenges ahead of New Zealand. 

Pakistan Playing 11

Abdullah Shafiq, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmad.


New Zealand

New Zealand would be pleased with the previous match. They adapted very well to the conditions and looked completely at ease against the Pakistani spinners. Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and Tom Blundell were terrific with the bat in the first Test. 

Latham and Conway could face a lot more spin in this next Test, though, and that will be a stiff challenge. We think New Zealand's batting is quite good and has a fair amount of depth also. It may not be able to hold its own if the surface starts to turn from the start. 

We will be betting against the New Zealand batters in this Test, especially because the Over/Under lines at all the leading cricket betting sites are so high. 

Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel, and Michael Bracewell are the leading spinners for the New Zealanders. This 'should' not be a problem for Pakistan but as we have seen this season, Pakistan's batters have been troubled by some pretty mediocre spinners. 

Michael Bracewell and Ajaz Patel are the two bowlers that have a good chance of making a mark in this Test. 

New Zealand Playing 11

Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel.

PAK vs NZ Toss Prediction

The team that wins the toss is going to want to bat first. That should be seen as having a huge advantage. 

Read our guide on toss predictions to learn how we analyze and come up with our tips.

Pitch and Conditions

There is no rain forecast for Karachi. The pitch was disappointing for the first Test. It was too flat and allowed the batters to score runs without much of a challenge. There was spin on offer but it was far too slow which meant that the batters could adjust. We expect a drier surface for this Test which could start taking turn a lot sooner and with more venom. 

PAK vs NZ Betting Tips

We think Pakistan will put back the disappointment of 2022 and start 2023 with a win under its belt. There is no doubt in our mind that Pakistan has the best spinner who is capable of running through the New Zealand side and that their batting lineup is very well-suited to dominate in home conditions. If the pitch has a bit more help in it, Pakistan will end up winning quite convincingly.

Bet on Pakistan to win.

Today Match Prediction

Pakistan To Win the Match, 2.30

Bet Tip Here

Who will win PAK vs NZ

Pakistan 67.3% (33)
New Zealand 32.7% (16)
Thanks for voting

Powered by

parimatch