Pakistan vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2009 Preview, Live Score

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Pakistan vs New Zealand 3^rd ODI 2009 Live Action Updates: 9 November 2009

After two dominating performances in the first two games, first from Pakistan, then from New Zealand, both teams are going to face each other in the third and the final match of the three-match ODI series on 9 November 2009 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Naturally, it is a series deciding game and both sides would be determined to win the game. On both sides, you can find some match winners who can steal the show by themselves. Cricket fans may not be very happy on the fact that neither of the first two games of the series was exciting as the winning side dominated throughout the first two games. So, fans are expecting a highly exciting game in the final match.

Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand; 2^nd ODI; Three-match ODI Series 2009

Date: 9 November 2009

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Time: 11:00 GMT (15:00 Local)

Live on TV: Ten Sports, Super Sports 1

Pakistan got off to a flying start in the series with a 138-run victory in the first match, but the Kiwis bounced back in the series by clinching a 64-run win in the second game. Now, the third match will decide who will win the series. Inconsistency is a traditional problem for Pakistan as it was seen once again in the series. The way they dominated in the first game, it looked really very awkward to see them losing the very next game in this manner.

Pakistan is undoubtedly under huge pressure for their poor performance in the second game. The team management has faced huge criticism for excluding in-form middle order batsmen Umar Akmal who made way for former Captain Shoaib Malik. Former Pakistan legend Abdul Qadir was one of them who came down hard on Pakistan team management for dropping the 19-year-old.

Thenational reported:

“How can you drop a batsman when he has impressed all around the world with his brilliant temperament?” said the leg-spin great.

“It will only shatter his confidence and we might lose such a talented player if he continuously gets such treatment in the team.”

Moreover, Pakistan captain Younus Khan is also under huge pressure with growing concern for his recent bad patch. The middle order batsman failed in the first two games of the series. His pressure has been intensified as there is a strong claim in Pakistan to make take away the captaincy from him and appoint Shahid Afridi as the new captain of Pakistan ODI squad. Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq has said that Afridi should be appointed as Pakistan captain till the 2011 world cup.

PTI News reported:

"I think after becoming Twenty20 captain Shahid has shown that he has become more mature and responsible as a player also," Inzamam said.

Naturally, it has come as an added pressure for the veteran batsman who led Pakistan to win the Twenty20 world cup this year. On the other hand, Afridi is also determined to take more responsibility of the team, following his appointment as Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain recently.

Now, ahead of the crunch game, Pakistan team is now facing a selection dilemma as they have to choose between Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal. It is a tough decision because former skipper Malik has been in good form too recently and it would be easy to drop someone with so much experience for the sake of a young batsman. To be honest, I admit that Umar Akmal has a huge talent and potential, but I do not think that it would be fair to exclude a proven performer like Shoaib Malik only to include Umar Akmal whose career is still in its infancy. If Pakistan wants to do so, it will create a bizarre feeling among the senior cricketers of the side who have been performing for the team for years. Pakistan team management should know the fact that a country may have hundreds of talented cricketers, but you would not find hundreds of Abdul Qadir or Wasim Akram in a country. Experience always matters at this level. I think, such exclusions will only increase Umar Akmal’s strive for doing better and make him a better player. In fact, many great players went through this kind of situation during their early career.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori is highly delighted with the way his team came back in the series. He said that New Zealand had put on a ‘conscious effort’ and now he wants to keep the pressure on Pakistan team in the third match. However, he has also warned his teammates about a possible backlash from Pakistan who are well-known for doing well in the crunch games.

AFP reported:

"We look for more improvement and make sure that we head into this final game with more confidence and put more pressure on Pakistan," said Vettori, whose team finished runners-up to Australia in the Champions Trophy last month.

"We did well throughout the Champions Trophy as most of the games we played were must win games and we stepped up, so I hope the team does it one more time."

"Pakistan can come back hard on us, so we must be ready for that, but I think there's something left for us as lot of guys who, I suppose, need to perform on this tour and those who have performed need to do that once more."

New Zealand was excellent in the second game in all three departments. Top order batsmen got runs, especially out-of-form Brendon McCullum scored his second century. The most importantly, maturity was seen in his batting. Ross Taylor’s recent form may create some worry for Vettori, but New Zealand squad has an excellent balance mainly because of the presence of three all rounders Scott Styris, Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori. Pacers got some success in both the games, while Vettori’s left arm spin has been terrific as usual.

Pakistan bowling line up is very strong too. Spin department comprising of Ajmal and Afridi is always a threat for the opposition, while their pace trio Aamer, Gul and Razzaq have got success in the series. I just could not understand why Younis Khan did not use Malik’s off spin in the second match. Malik has been handy with his off spin and he is an effective all rounder and he has proven his all rounder ability in the past. Younis and Yousuf have not made their presence felt in the series so far. Naturally, they will be determined to play big innings in the series decider, and thus, making an useful contribution to Pakistan’s series win. Afridi and Kamran Akmal already showed their ability against the New Zealand bowlers in the series and they would like to repeat that in the third game too.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some live score and updates websites from where you can get the live score of the match:

Cricinfo

Stickiewicket

thatscricket

Cricket Next

action8cricket

The final match of the series seems to offer some exciting cricket actions with both sides being desperate to win the game. I do not see any side favorite for the game. It is true that Pakistan will get the support of the local crowd, but New Zealand is full of confidence after their victory in the previous match. Overall, the third match could be a very close affair and both sides have enough chances to win the game as well as the series.