NZ vs Pak

Tough to predict anything for tomorrow's game, as these two sides are the most up and down in world cricket. Stuff asks. "Which version of Pakistan will turn up against New Zealand tomorrow night?", but they might as well wonder which New Zealand will turn up.

Pakistan look strong, with a varied attack and Shahid bhai hitting a purple patch. I wonder if there's a case for including Kane Williamson in the lineup to combat the threat posed by him and the other spinners. Their batting was good against Sri Lanka, but showed vulnerability against the Canadians so if Mills, Southee and co continue the good work they put in against Zimbabwe they could be effective.

The major talking point for this game is that this is Pallekele's first ever ODI, so the pitch has everyone interested. It is reputed to have something in it for the pacemen - more bounce, I suppose.

The big worry for NZ, despite the excellent win over Zimbabwe, is that Guptill and McCullum aside the top 6 have barely spent any time in the middle. The major concern is around Taylor who's looked in terrible form of late, while Ryder and Franklin just didn't get the feet moving against the Australian. However, Baz and Guppy did play extremely well, with uncharacteristic restraint, last Friday, so perhaps it is a conscious effort on the part of everyone not to go slam-bang.

I have to say I'm really happy about the Zimbabwe win though, after all the talk of an upset. While we'll still have to raise our game a bit to beat a fellow test nation at the moment, our current form is really more a symptom of a good one-day side in the middle of a horrible slump, rather than one which has declined to the point of being beyond hope as most of the press seems to imagine.