BIRMINGHAM, June 25 (Agencies): Their campaign revived by a win over South Africa, Pakistan will continue their battle of survival when they face an unstoppable New Zealand in a must-win World Cup clash at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
With just two wins and three losses, Pakistan are at the seventh spot with five points in six games.
Sarfaraz Ahmed and his men will now not only have to win the remaining three matches, starting with New Zealand, but also hope that the results in other matches favour them to salvage any hopes of a semifinal berth.
While pacer Mohammad Amir has been their biggest star, claiming 15 wickets to top the list, none of the other bowlers have backed him, which has affected their campaign. New Zealand, on the other hand, have been invincible so far and currently hold the top position in the points table.
The Black Caps, led by inspiration skipper Kane Williamson, have been on a roll ever since they streamrolled Sri Lanka in their opening match.
But no team is unbeatable and New Zealand looked vulnerable against South Africa and the West Indies but it was skipper Williamson's twin hundreds which helped them seal the wins.
Williamson, who also anchored the side against Afghanistan, is their highest scorer in the tournament so far. Pakistan won six matches o the previous eight World Cup matches against New Zealand. The Kiwis won two.
There is rain expected on match eve, but by the time Wednesday comes around, the weather should have eased out considerably.
Squads: Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam, Sohail, Hasan Ali, Shahdab Khan, Mohammed Hafeez, Mohammed Hasnain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Mohammed Aamir, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Asif Ali.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Sodhi, Trent Boult, Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell.
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