Match 35 of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup sees New Zealand and Pakistan meet at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in what now looks like a huge clash in the race to claim a place in the World Cup semi-finals. Just over a week ago, New Zealand looked like a side coasting to one of the top four positions. But after three successive defeats, that top-four finish is now in serious doubt. 

As for Pakistan, they ended a four-match losing streak with a win over Bangladesh on Tuesday. Thanks to results elsewhere, another win over the Black Caps in this fixture will put them level on points with the Kiwis and right back in the mix to claim one of the remaining semi-final places. 

New Zealand vs Pakistan betting preview, odds and predictions

📝 New Zealand vs Pakistan betting odds

India has confirmed their place in the last four, and South Africa looks well set to finish in the top two and claim the second semi-final spot. There now seems to be four nations battling it out for the final two places in the top four. Australia has to be fancied to fill one of the two spaces, with New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan fighting over the final one. Our recommended cricket betting sites also believe Australia will qualify for the last four as they make Pat Cummins’ team the 4.0 second favourites to win the World Cup. New Zealand are the fourth favourites to win the World Cup at 7.50, with Pakistan fifth at 23.0. The Black Caps are also favourites to win this fixture as well. But, as you’re about to see in the latest match betting, the odds are very close.

10CRIC

Cricbaba 

New Zealand vs Pakistan predictions

This is the third fixture of the 2023 ICC World Cup to be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Pakistan has the advantage of having played here, but they aren’t good memories. In Match 18, Pakistan won the toss and invited Australia to bat. The Aussies racked up 367/9, with David Warner and Mitchell Marsh putting on 259 for the first wicket. Pakistan were bowled out for 305, losing the match by 62 runs. 

The second match played here was the 25th, between England and Sri Lanka. The English won the toss and elected to bat first. England were dismissed for just 156. Sri Lanka went on to win by eight wickets. The England vs Sri Lanka match isn’t a great guide to use for how this wicket plays, as England hasn’t contributed to this World Cup at all. 

England aside, this looks like a good batting track. And with it being a day match, dew shouldn’t play a part. 

Pakistan has won two of their three matches chasing. They have won the toss on three occasions. After asking Australia to bat first when they first won the toss, they have opted to bat first on the two occasions since. New Zealand has won the toss four times at this World Cup and elected to bowl first each time – they prefer to chase. Therefore, we would expect whoever wins the toss to elect to bowl first. 

📊 New Zealand vs Pakistan key stats

  • In ODIs, the two nations have met 115 times. Pakistan has the edge with 61 wins. New Zealand has won 51 times. There have been three no results and one tie.
  • On neutral grounds, Pakistan also has the edge with 23 wins to New Zealand’s 14 victories. 
  • In Cricket World Cups, the two nations have met nine times. Pakistan has won seven of the meetings, with New Zealand only winning twice. Pakistan won the most recent meeting in 2019, with New Zealand winning the one before that in 2011. 
  • In their five most recent matchups, Pakistan defeated the Black Caps 4-1 in Pakistan in April and May of this year. New Zealand won a close series 2-1, also held in Pakistan at the start of 2023.
  • New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra is one of the highest run scorers at the World Cup with 415 runs. This includes two hundred and two fifties. The Black Caps top bowler is Mitchell Santner with 14 wickets.
  • Pakistan has had to rely on Mohammad Rizwan for the majority of their runs. The right-hander has 359 runs, including one century and one fifty. Their top bowler is Haris Rauf with 12 wickets.
2023 Cricket World Cup betting tips

New Zealand vs Pakistan betting tips 

Pakistan has the edge over the Black Caps when it comes to winning World Cup fixtures. Could this be India vs Pakistan in reverse? It may be that the Pakistan team just has a psychological edge over the Kiwis. We would expect Pakistan to bowl first if they win the toss, given New Zealand’s preference to chase. We’re tempted to go with Pakistan, but it could be worth backing whoever bats second to win this match.

1. Trent Boult to be the player of the match – 13.00 at Cricbaba

Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf picked up eight Australian wickets between them in a recent match at this venue. In a match that is likely to be batter-dominated, a significant contribution from a bowler could be the difference in the match. 

Trent Boult has so far had an average competition, picking up ten wickets for the Black Caps. A wicket that suited Afridi and Rauf could also be ideal for the veteran Kiwi. We are happy to back him to be Player of the Match at 13.00.

➡️ Pick Trent Boult to be the player of the match – 13.00 at Cricbaba

2. Abdullah Shafique to be the top Pakistani batter – 5.00

If Pakistan are to win this match, then they are probably going to need more than just Mohammad Rizwan to contribute with the bat.

Abdullah Shafique scored 68 against Bangladesh in the recent win, and he is Pakistan’s second-highest run-scorer at the World Cup (332 runs). He also scored 64 at this venue in the defeat to Australia.

3. Total Fours Over 52.5 – 1.89 at 10CRIC

As we already mentioned, only England has failed to score runs on this ground in the two matches. Even chasing a paltry 157 to beat the English, Sri Lanka got the runs in just over 25 overs. This is a high-scoring ground, so we would excerpt over 52.5 fours to be scored. 

➡️ Bet on total fours over 52.2 at 1.89 with 10CRIC

How to watch New Zealand vs Pakistan

  • Location: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, India
  • Date and time: Friday 13th October 2023, 10:30 IST
  • How to watch: Star Sports or live streaming with Disney+, ESPN+, and Switch TV

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About the Author:
DEAN ETHERIDGE
Dean is a freelance sports betting writer and website owner who specialises in football and cricket. With many years of experience writing for his own publications and others, Dean can turn his hand to a wide variety of sports, using his extensive knowledge and sense of humour to provide expert content with a totally different perspective. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn (@deanetheridge) and Twitter (@etheridge_dean).