Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has named his playing XI for Pakistan's first ODI against New Zealand. The game is set to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, April , 2023 . 


Latif has made some interesting choices in his team selection, opting for a mix of experience and youth. In his XI, he has chosen to include opener Fakhar Zaman, who is currently in great form and is likely to provide a solid foundation for the team.

The former captain has also chosen to include two spinners in the playing XI - Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. This decision may come as a surprise to some, given that the pitch at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is known to favour fast bowlers. However, Latif believes that the spinners will play a crucial role in restricting New Zealand's scoring rate.

Latif has also opted for two all-rounders in his XI, with both Shoaib Malik and Faheem Ashraf getting the nod. Malik, who has vast experience in the ODI format, will be expected to anchor the middle-order and provide stability to the team. Ashraf, on the other hand, has been in good form with the bat and ball, and will be expected to contribute in both departments.

In the pace department, Latif has chosen to go with Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali, who have been the backbone of Pakistan's bowling attack in recent times. The duo has the ability to swing the ball both ways and can generate good pace, making them a formidable pair.

The team selected by Rashid Latif for the first ODI against New Zealand is as follows: 


1. Fakhar Zaman

2. Imam-ul-Haq

3. Babar Azam (c)

4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)

5. Shoaib Malik

6. Faheem Ashraf

7. Shadab Khan

8. Mohammad Nawaz

9. Hasan Ali

10. Shaheen Afridi

11. Haris Rauf

Overall, Latif's XI looks like a balanced and well-rounded team that has the ability to compete with the best. The inclusion of spinners may be a gamble, but if they are able to deliver, it could prove to be a masterstroke. Pakistan will be hoping to get off to a good start in the series and a win in the first ODI could set the tone for the rest of the matches. It remains to be seen whether Latif's XI can deliver the goods on the day.

In recent times, Pakistan's ODI team has been going through a period of transition, with a number of young players being given opportunities to showcase their skills at the international level. This has resulted in a more youthful and dynamic side, with a good mix of experience and raw talent.

One of the key players in Pakistan's ODI team is Babar Azam, who is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world today. Azam has been in excellent form recently and will be expected to lead the batting line-up from the front. He will be ably supported by the likes of Fakhar Zaman, who has been in scintillating form in the domestic circuit, and Imam-ul-Haq, who has been a consistent performer in the ODI format.

In the wicketkeeping department, Mohammad Rizwan will be expected to don the gloves. Rizwan has been a revelation for Pakistan in recent times, both with the bat and behind the stumps. He is known for his aggressive batting style and his ability to build partnerships in the middle overs.

The inclusion of Haris Rauf in the playing XI is also an interesting choice, as the pacer has been in good form in the T20 format. Rauf's raw pace and ability to swing the ball could prove to be a handful for the New Zealand batsmen, especially in the early overs.

However, there are some notable omissions from Latif's XI. The likes of Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Hasnain have been performing well in recent times and their absence from the starting line-up could raise a few eyebrows. However, Latif's decision to go with a more spin-heavy attack may be a tactical move, aimed at exploiting the weaknesses in the New Zealand batting line-up.

Overall, Latif's XI looks like a well-balanced side that has the potential to perform well in the upcoming series against New Zealand. It remains to be seen whether his team selection pays off on the day, but if the players are able to execute their plans to perfection, Pakistan could well come out on top in the first ODI.