What:
New Zealand will take on Pakistan in the fifth ODI of the six-match series.
When: The game will be played on February 3, 2011.
Where:
The match will be played at the Seddon Park in Hamilton in New Zealand.
Background: Pakistan lead the series 2-1. They had lost the first game of the series before the second one was abandoned due to rain. This was followed by an easy win in the third ODI for the Pakistani side and a thrilling finish in the fourth game that saw Misbah ul Haq bat through the innings and clinch the game.
Pakistan have not won a series in a long time and after all the issues associated with the match-fixing, it would be a great present for them. On the other hand, New Zealand had gone into the series with 11 straight losses and after winning the first game, the tally of losses has gone up to 13 in 14.
Teams: New Zealand will look to bring in Jesse Ryder into the side but it will depend on his fitness. He was ready to come in the last game but cut his finger and missed out. With only a day to recover between the two games, it could get difficult for him to get there. This will mean that Jamie How could continue to bat at the top of the order.
Pakistan have no reason to change their playing eleven but may want to play everyone in their squad before the World Cup. This will mean that the best way to go about it for the will be to have Shoaib Akhtar come back into the playing eleven if possible.
Players to look out for: Pakistan will need Kamran Akmal to fire whereas New Zealand will look up to Martin Guptill to carry on after getting a start.