M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru Pitch Report & Weather Forecast for NZ vs PAK ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Match 35

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M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will stage it's third match of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 on Saturday (November 4) when semifinal spot chasing New Zealand take on Pakistan in match 35 of the show-piece tournament.

Tom Latham-led fourth-placed New Zealand come into the match on the back of a three-match losing streak, while Babar Azam's fifth-placed Pakistan are fresh from stopping a four-match slide.

New Zealand opened their campaign with four successive wins, but have since lost three on the trot to India, Australia and South Africa, while Pakistan, who suffered four consecutive losses, ended their win-less run in the most recent outing against Bangladesh.

Weather in the form of mist has interrupted New Zealand's one match so far. Barring that one instance, both teams' matches have taken place without any other interruption, but they may see weather having an affect in their next game as Bengaluru has witnessed rains in the past few days.

The venue in Bengaluru has produced some high-scoring games. But with rain expected, how will the weather and pitch conditions be for NZ vs PAK clash in Bengaluru? Will rain play spoilsport? Is there another high-scoring game on the cards?

With some parts of India witnessing showers due to the retreating monsoon, here is a look at the Bengaluru weather forecast and the M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch report for NZ vs PAK 35th ICC World Cup match:

Bengaluru Weather Forecast on November 4

There is threat of thunderstorms on Saturday (November 4) and in the lead up to match. It is expected to be a cloudy day with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm in the afternoon.

The temperatures are expected to be between 24° C to 28° C during the playing hours, according to AccuWeather, which predicts an interruption during the second innings and closing stages of the match.

Rain prediction for Bengaluru on November 4: There is 51 percent chance of precipitation around 2 PM IST with 2.4mm rain forecast by AccuWeather, which also predicts 56 percent chance of thunderstorm around 5 PM IST. So, there may be a start stop kind of play in the second half.

As per Weather Channel, there is forecast for thunderstorms developing in the afternoon and there is 100 percent chance of rain with temperatures hovering around 25-27° C during the playing hours. So, weather may play spoilsport in the NZ vs PAK match in Bengaluru.

Even if it rains, the excellent drainage facility in the Bengaluru venue, allows play to resume quickly in case of stoppages. So, only a long-spell of shower could wipe out play in the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

A brief spell of shower may only see a little time lost. So, not many overs will be lost. The Weather Channel forecast, however, seems a little worrying as it predicts for long spell of rain. But, how is the Bengaluru wicket going to play after seeing two mixed results so far in day-night matches?

M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch report for NZ vs PAK World Cup match

Three pitches with one on stand by have been selected by the ICC in the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Three red soil pitches will stage the 5 World Cup 2023 matches.

The red soil wickets usually tend to offer pacers some assist in the early stages with spinners coming into play as the game progresses, but some venues with red soil wickets have also been batters paradise. And M Chinnaswamy Stadium in one such venue.

The first match of the 2023 World Cup was a prime example of the batting friendly venue as Australia pile on 367 against Pakistan, who replied with 305, but the second match saw England get bundled out for 156 before Sri Lanka made lightwork of the chase.

The average first innings score in the 28 ODIs hosted by the venue is 260. Over the years, it's been an even share of wins for teams chasing and batting first. The captains will be tempted to bat first especially with rain expected in the second innings, but will be tempted to bowl first especially due to the early start.