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Hasan Ali makes interesting prediction ahead of 2023 World Cup

Pakistan are currently facing New Zealand in a five-match ODI series

By Web Desk

April 27, 2023

The ICC World Cup 2023 will be played in India — AFP

Pakistan speedster Hasan Ali made an interesting prediction ahead of the ICC World Cup in India later this year.

Taking to Twitter, the right-armer said that Pakistan will start their campaign for the mega event “with a bang” during the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand.

“Let's start with a win and focus on the trophy boys,” he added.

The 28-year-old has played 22 Tests, 60 ODIs and 50 T20Is for Pakistan over the course of his career.

The Black Caps shocked the home side by squaring a preceding five-match Twenty20 series 2-2 despite missing eight players — including skipper Kane Williamson — due to the ongoing Indian Premier League or injury.

Under stand-in skipper Tom Latham, New Zealand adapted to the conditions skillfully, roaring back from 2-0 down to win the third and fifth matches, with the fourth abandoned after rain.

Pakistan have won five of the seven ODI series that Azam has captained. His two losses came against England in 2021 and New Zealand in January this year.

But New Zealand boast recent dominance over Pakistan. Of the last six ODI series between them, New Zealand have won five and drawn one. Their last series defeat against Pakistan was at home in 2011.

After the first ODI today (Thursday), the other matches of the current series are in Rawalpindi on Saturday followed by Karachi on May 3, 5 and 7.

Squads

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usama Mir

New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young.