Pakistan vs New Zealand Prediction & Betting Tips - World Test Championship

Prediction published on 30/01/2023, 20:00  by Devesh Jaganath in Cricket Predictions

Following a draw in the first test, the scene is now set for a winner-takes-all encounter in the second and final test between Pakistan and New Zealand. The match is scheduled to start on the 2nd of January at the National Stadium, Karachi, and will be followed by three ODI at the same venue on the 9th, 11th, and 13th of January. Both sides have had a poor red-ball campaign, and neither of them has a realistic chance of making it into the WTC final later in the year. Pakistan is currently in 7th place in the WTC standings and has not won a test series at home in the entire of 2022. They beat relatively well in the first test, posting 438 runs in their first innings, with the ever-dependable captain Babar Azam leading the way with 168, followed by an excellent 103 from Agha Salman. Pakistan made a brave decision on the final day, declaring their second innings on 311/8 and setting the visitors a target of just 138 to chase down in the final session of the day. However, the on-field umpires brought an early end to proceedings after deeming that the light was not good enough to continue play. Pakistan will want to win this match at all costs after back-to-back series defeats against Australia and England in 2022. 

New Zealand comes into this encounter trailing their hosts in 8th place in the WTC standings, but they have played two fewer tests this season. After a slow-burning first inning by Pakistan, the visitors put on a mammoth 612/9 in response, headlined by Kane Williamson's fifth double-century of his test career. Opener Tom Latham also put on a defiant display at the top of the order adding 113 to the Kiwi's total. Avoiding a loss away from home is always a great result, so it came as little surprise that New Zealand seemed the happier of the two sides to come away with the draw in the first test. Despite holding a superior head-to-head record, Pakistan has only beaten the Kiwi's in one of their last four tests. New Zealand will be rare to go and will want to kick start 2023 with a win away from home.