New Zealand vs Pakistan Highlights, Cricket World Cup 2023: PAK win by 21 runs on DLS, stay live in race for semis

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: Veteran pacer Boult is one wicket away from becoming the first New Zealander to take 50 ODI World Cup wickets. Southee is second, tied on 36 with Oram and Vettori.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: On facing Babar Azam and Co, New Zealand's Mitchell said, "They're a world-class team and they have been for a long time. We've played a lot of cricket against them, which is awesome for us. We loved touring Pakistan a few months ago and to be able to take them on here now in the World Cup's cool."

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: Speaking to the media, Pakistan's Arthur said, "No excuse, but it [not playing the IPL] has been [a disadvantage]. And the interesting thing has been that every ground we've been to has been a new venue for our players, which is exciting. The players have really embraced that and they've enjoyed that fact because they've watched IPL on TV and they've seen Test matches at iconic grounds like Eden Gardens, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai."

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: In ODI World Cup history, whenever both these sides have met, New Zealand's highest total has been 302, while Pakistan's is 281. Pakistan's lowest total vs New Zealand is 167 and the Kiwis' is 166.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: Speaking ahead of the match, Pakistan head coach Arthur said, "If we make change - and just on Haris Rauf does a real role for us. You know, he's kind of our striker. So no, we wouldn't look to change Haris Rauf because he's got a specific role for us within the team. But there is a potential for a game plan change, yes."

"As a Pakistan team, we play a hell of a lot of cricket so being on the road is nothing new for these guys. What has been tough is the fact that we've been under a massive amount of security. So, I've been sort of taken aback. I found it difficult. It's almost like we've been back in the Covid times, where you were almost secluded to your floor and your team room. So much so that their breakfast is in a separate room to everybody else. That's been the tough aspect," he further added.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: Babar's last five ODI scores vs New Zealand are 49, 65, 54, 107 and 1, which makes him a threat. His middle over numbers are inspiring. He has been striking at 79.24 in the 11-40th over period.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: According to Accuweather, there is a 68 percent chance of rain in daytime. If rain plays spoilsport, Pakistan could very well fail to qualify for the semis!

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: New Zealand's campaign has been riddled with poor luck, starting with Williamson's broken thumb in the very match he made his comeback after ACL recovery. The bowling camp also have their woes as Henry has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury, and has been replaced by Jamieson.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: There could be rain in the second half. The pitch has patchy grass spots, and seemed drier. The stadium has seen two opposite games, as Australia posted 350-plus and England lost to Sr Lanka. Pacers have taken 23 wickets here and are offered more help than spinners (6) in the two matches so far.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: Despite not being in good form in the ongoing tournament, Latham is a key cog in this New Zealand middle order. He will be in focus, when he takes on Afridi. Against the pacer, he has lost his wicket four times in ODIs. Meanwhile, Afridi with the older ball in middle overs, averages 16.2, bagging seven wickets between overs 11-40.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: Speaking ahead of the match, New Zealand star Daryl Mitchell said, "Look, we're a small country, down at the bottom of the earth, and for us it's fighting for every ball, chasing every ball to the boundary, and doing the little things that we can control. The big stuff will look after itself if we're clear on our roles, very detailed with how we go about our business... We're just very proud to represent our country and get stuck in the World Cup and you'll see that by the passion and the way the guys throw themselves around out in the field."

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: Speaking ahead of the match, Pakistan head oach Mickey Arthur gave an update. He said, "Shadab went through a preliminary test today, which you've got to do as per medical protocol. He came through that OK, but we're in no position yet to make a decision on him. Concussion is a really important injury, and we've got to be 100% sure before we make a decision. No decision has been made on him at the minute."

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: In ODIs, both sides have faced each other in 115 matches with New Zealand winning 51 matches and Pakistan coming out on top on 60 occasions. 3 matches have ended without a result and one game has been tied. In ODI World Cup history, they have faced each other in nine matches, with Pakistan leading 7-2.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: NZ- Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w/c), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, James Neesham, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson

PAK- Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, NZ vs PAK Cricket World Cup 2023: Good morning everyone! Welcome to our live coverage of today's first ODI World Cup fixture, where we have New Zealand taking on Pakistan in Bengaluru, on Saturday. Stay tuned folks, for an absolute thriller!