Pakistan and New Zealand hadn’t met in Pakistan in T20 cricket until just last year and through this series, the Black Caps will double the number of matches they have played in the country.
New Zealand have been forced to send a depleted team to Pakistan this time around with some players injured and others taking part in the IPL.
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has hosted two matches involving Pakistan and New Zealand with the tourists winning one and the other ending in a no result.
To Win Match
Pakistan 34/100 | Tie 25/1 | New Zealand 23/10
Babar Azam has been restored to the white-ball captaincy for the time being and leads a Pakistan team with a potent top order.
Azam himself will be a batter to watch alongside the likes of Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan who will be a major threat to the New Zealand attack.
Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim have reversed their retirements in a bid to compete in the T20 World Cup and both men get a chance to prove their worth here.
Pakistan will be World Cup-focused throughout this series and have refused to focus on the strength or weakness of the Black Caps touring group.
Michael Bracewell captains New Zealand for the first time in this series where he will lead a side that has been hit by unavailability of stars.
New Zealand still have dangerous players in this format like opener Finn Allen, who can be a one-man wrecking crew.
Two squad members in line to make their T20I debuts in Rawalpindi, with fast bowler Will O’Rourke earning a maiden call-up in the format after impressing on his Test debut against Australia recently while hard-hitting batter Tim Robinson was also included in the squad of 15 after some big knocks in domestic cricket in New Zealand.
Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner and Kane Williamson all missing due to their playing commitments in the IPL. Will Young, Tim Southee, Colin Munro and Tim Latham are also missing for various reasons.
Verdict: Pakistan 34/100
Pakistan’s full-strength team should be able to put this rag-tag New Zealand outfit in the shade.
