RAWALPINDI: Pakistan speedster Naseem Shah is upbeat ahead of the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, which starts today in Rawalpindi.
While speaking in an interview, Shah admitted that it is easier to claim wickets in T20Is as compared to other formats of the game.
“Our preparations are heading in the right direction for the ODI series,” Naseem told Geo News on Wednesday.
“In Tests and ODIs, you have to work hard to take wickets but in T20Is sometimes you can get lucky as batter can get caught while trying to clear the boundary,” he added.
The right-armer also lauded Pakistan’s bowling attack and was optimistic about putting up a good show during the series.
“We have an excellent bowling attack and players learn from each other. They are all young and eager to do well,” he said.
The pacer also said that pitches in Rawalpindi are more suitable for the batters as compared to the bowlers.
“The pitch in Rawalpindi is conducive for batters but as bowlers will try to adapt and try to perform to the best of our ability,” he said.
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.
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.
ODI Series schedule
27 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
29 Apr – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi
5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi
7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi
Arfa Feroz Zake- Naseem Shah