| Scores | Upcoming | Results |
Abu Dhabi: New Zealand and Pakistan will both be hoping they can overcome a series of setbacks when they clash in the first of three One-Day Internationals on Tuesday.
Since finishing runners-up to Australia in the Champions Trophy last month, New Zealand's problems have multiplied, following injuries to key players and the sudden departure of coach Andy Moles.
Moles' resignation after differences with some of the players has left a void, but skipper Daniel Vettori is confident his team is capable of rising to the occasion.
"Now every single person in the squad has to pick up a little bit of the slack," Vettori said when asked about the team's being without a coach.
"People will still expect us to win, there's no reason why we shouldn't, and that's the mindset that we have to have going," said Vettori who will be an acting-coach as well as a selector and the team's leading all-rounder.
The Black Caps will also be without hard-hitting opener Jesse Ryder, all-rounder Grant Elliott and pace spearhead Daryl Tuffey -- all nursing injuries. Their places go to the uncapped Bradley-John Watling, recalled Scott Styris and fast bowler Tim Southee.
Elliott starred in New Zealand's five-wicket win over Pakistan in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy in South Africa.
"It is disappointing because you would always want to bring your top team for a series," said Vettori. "Despite injuries we did well in the Champions Trophy and hope we can do the same."
Vettori will also be without a deputy after wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum quit the vice-captaincy to focus on his batting.
The New Zealand captain said both sides were struggling with their form.
Pakistan captain Younis Khan offered to resign over unproven match-fixing allegations following his team's defeat against Australia and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan Cricket Board rejected Younis' resignation, but there were reports of disharmony within the team.
"We can only win if we play above our potential and play as a unit," said Younis, who will pass the captaincy to all-rounder Shahid Afridi for two Twenty20 matches after the One-day series.
The second and third One-dayers will be played here on November 6 and 9. The series was moved out of Pakistan after New Zealand refused to tour following attacks on the Sri Lankan team in March this year.
Team
Pakistan: They will be without key fast bowler Mohammad Asif, who was not selected because immigration officials will not let him into the United Arab Emirates following his deportation from Dubai last year on charges of possessing a banned drug.
Squad (likely): Younis Khan (capt), Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Umer Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir
New Zealand: Kiwis are like Australia and Sri Lanka, who play as a unit and you have to play like that to beat them.
Squad (likely): Daniel Vettori (capt), Neil Broom, Ross Taylor, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (wk), Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Shane Bond.
Match fact
Tuesday November 03, 2009 (day/night)
Start time: 15:00 local, 11:00 GMT, 16:00 Pak
| Pakistan | New Zealand | |
| Ranking | 5 | 4 |
| Captain | Younus Khan | Daniel Vettori |
| Coach | Intikhab Alam | NA |
|
Highest Total chased
|
Pakistan won by 3 wickets on Nov 28 2003
Target Chased: 291 |
New Zealand won by 4 wickets on Feb 27 2001
Target Chased: 285 |
|
Most Prolific Batsman
|
Inzamam-ul-Haq (1283 Runs)
|
Stephen Fleming (1090 Runs)
|
|
Highest Individual Score
|
Inzamam-ul-Haq (137 Runs)
|
Nathan Astle (119 Runs)
|
|
Best Bowling Analysis
|
6/16 by Shoaib Akhtar on Apr 20 2002
|
5/38 by Richard Hadlee on Feb 05 1989
|
|
Most Prolific Bowler
|
Waqar Younis (79 Wickets)
|
Danny Morrison (39 Wickets)
|
| Head to head |
Total Played 78, Pakistan 47, New Zealand 29, Tied 1, No Result 1
|
|
| Current Form | WWWLL | LWWWL (recent last) |
