ICC World Cup 2019, New Zealand vs Pakistan: Pakistan Predicted XI against New Zealand - Tough call for Sarfaraz Ahmed

The Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side won their previous match against South Africa and are currently in the seventh position with 5 points and a net run rate of -1.265.

Pakistan will be looking to bring their ICC World Cup 2019 campaign back on track when they take on New Zealand in Edgbaston on Wednesday. The Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side won their previous match against South Africa and are currently in the seventh position with 5 points and a net run rate of -1.265.

Pakistan's Mohammad Amir celebrates taking the wicket of South Africa's Faf du Plessis. (Action Images via Reuters)

Haris Sohail smashed a rapid-fire 89 as Pakistan ended South Africa’s World Cup hopes with a comfortable 49-run win at Lord’s on Sunday. Sohail’s dominant 59-ball knock and a tidy half century from Babar Azam helped Pakistan reach 308-7, a total that South Africa never threatened to surpass.

South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis offered their only real resistance with a 79-ball 63 in another poor batting display from his side. Wahab Riaz and Shadab Khan took three wickets each as Pakistan condemned South Africa to a fifth defeat of the tournament that left them languishing ninth in the 10-team table.

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While Pakistan’s slim hopes of reaching the knockout stages stayed alive, South Africa, with three points from their opening seven matches, are unable to secure a spot in the top four - who all advance to the semi-finals.

The only change can be the return of veteran Shoaib Malik in place of Imad Wasim but it seems highly unlikely.

Pakistan predicted XI: Imam-Ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi

(With agency inputs)