New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat

New Zealand v Pakistan, Group A, World Cup 2011, Pallekele

New Zealand brace for in-form Pakistan

Ryder unfit as New Zealand bat

New Zealand

Pakistan

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat

Greg: "Why do New Zealand continue to pick How ahead of Williamson? I am sure Kane is a better option and you can't continue to leave him out of the team."

Kevin: "Seeing Rajesh's DRS numbers, it would be fun picking an Umpire to your Fantasy team and rewarded with points for his 'Decision Upheld'." You saw Fantasy even in that!

shahzad: "Fairly Balanced side for Pakistan. I hope the openers fires up for them today. They have been fairly quiet."

Rishan: "How could you do this to me Jesse?! I just picked you last night for my fantasy team and you become unfit!!"

Our stats man, Madhu, says that Pakistan's unpredictability sets up an even contest. Do you think so? Who will win today?

Ali Abbas: "This is a good toss to lose for Pakistan. All three matches they have won defending scores time to test their run chasing ability."

2 pm Toss Daniel Vettori wins the toss and New Zealand will have a bat. Dan: "Looks like a dry wicket. The grass means the bounce should be consistent, and it should be a decent batting wicket. Unfortunately, Jesse Ryder is out, and Jacob Oram is in."

Afridi: "Shoaib and Rehman are back for Wahab and Ajmal." I hope your Fantasy XIs are being updated quickly.

The Decision Review System has been much used, much appreciated, much maligned, and tinkered with a bit. S Rajesh has some interesting numbers on its usage in the World Cup

Just a few minutes to go for the toss. What will be the playing XIs today? Let us know.

Danny Morrison says there is some grass on the wicket, it is new grass. The new ball will move around a little bit, there is something there for the fast bowlers. He says given the pleasant conditions, it will be difficult not to bat first, but it is going to be a tough decision to take.

These two sides have seen a lot of each other recently, and Pakistan were winners in the Test as well as ODI series in New Zealand. George Binoy, in his preview, thinks that if Pakistan play like Pakistan can, they should win this one too. He thinks Shahid Afridi will be key, and Osman Samiuddin takes a look at just how important Afridi the bowler has been for Pakistan over the years.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Group A match between New Zealand and Pakistan in Pallekele. This will be the first international game at this ground, after the Test match between Sri Lanka and West Indies which will be remembered only for the amount of rain Pallekele received during that period.

Current time: 14:17 local, 08:47 GMT | Match begins in: 0:13