Abdul Razzaq bats in favour of Pakistan for first New Zealand ODI

Former all-rounder trusts visiting bowlers’ ability to test hosts in limited-overs series

KARACHI: Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq agrees with the fact that New Zealand are hard to beat on their home turf, but he believes Pakistan now have the quality to trouble the hosts both with bat and ball.

“If you look at the New Zealand’s record at home, they have a good winning average against Pakistan. They have won more matches, and overall, they always perform well in their home conditions,” Razzaq told The Express Tribune.

However, Razzaq is not ready to write Pakistan off just on the basis of history.

“If you look at Pakistan’s recent record, they have become a force to be reckoned with in the ODIs and are the number two team in T20Is. They have been unpredictable, but now they are showing signs of consistency. The way they won the tour match against New Zealand XI is a sign of good things to come,” he said.

Pakistan will be lacking the services of injured left-arm pacers Junaid Khan and Usman Khan Shinwari, and off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez (due to a ban on his bowling), but Razzaq believes the remaining bowling squad has enough venom to trouble the Kiwis.

“Our bowling line-up is still strong,” he explained. “[Leg-spinner] Shadab Khan is doing a great job with [medium pacer] Faheem Ashraf. The head coach and the captain will have to pick the right combination against New Zealand.”

He continued saying Shadab’s Big Bash League (BBL) experience will come in handy. “Shadab, who was playing the Big Bash League with Brisbane Heats, will have an edge and taking wickets in New Zealand wouldn’t be a problem for him,” he said. “Meanwhile, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees and number one bowler in ODIs Hasan Ali are there to provide Pakistan the fast-bowling firepower.”

The 38-year-old He believes, however, that Pakistan’s biggest challenge will be chasing big targets.

“Fakhar Zaman is in good form right now, but he could face trouble, and if he fails, the weight of expectations will fall on Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Hafeez and Shoaib Malik, who are capable of adding important runs. Also, Haris Sohail can be a player who can help Pakistan in critical situations,” he said.

Former all-rounder, who works with Pakistan skipper Sarfraz for the Pakistan Super League franchise  Quetta Gladiators, praise Sarfraz Ahmed’s leadership ability which he believes “gives the players confidence”, but Razzaq added that Sarfraz will have to put up a good show with the bat as well to help team’s confidence.

Pakistan play New Zealand in the first of the five-match ODI series on January 6. They 50-over series will be followed by three T20Is.