Pakistan to bat first against New Zealand

 WELLINGTON: Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first in their one day international against New Zealand here Saturday as the two sides begin fine-tuning for the World Cup.

The tourists go into the six-match series holding the upper hand, coming off a 1-0 series victory over New Zealand in the two Tests and with a more impressive one-day record in recent times.

They were pipped 2-3 in their October-November series against South Africa while New Zealand are on an 11-match losing streak.

In an effort to turn their fortunes around, New Zealand have decided to break up their big hitting opening partnership of Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum with McCullum dropping down to number six.

New coach John Wright wants matchwinners in the middle order, rather than having to rely on on the openers, and all-rounder Jacob Oram has been brought back to follow McCullum at number seven.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said there would be a degree of experimentation as they search for a balanced lineup that gives them power at the top and at the end of an innings.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said his side has taken heart from the Test win and now want to dominate New Zealand in the ODIs.

"In the buildup to the World Cup, it would be good for our morale to win every game, every victory is very important now and that's what we want to do in this series."

Pakistan have brought in Abdul Razzaq who belted an unbeaten 109 in 72 balls in their second one-dayer against South Africa.

TEAMS

NEW ZEALAND - Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (captain), Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Hamish Bennett.

PAKISTAN: Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Akhtar

UMPIRES:Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Amiesh Saheba (IND)

TV UMPIRE: Barry Frost (NZL)

MATCH REFEREE: Alan Hurst (AUS)