The first match in this five-match series was a washout giving us little indication of how these engagements will go. James Richardson previews the second T20.
Rawalpindi will also host the second match but the weather forecast looks a little more positive.
New Zealand have a fairly good record in T20Is in Pakistan but they have sent an under-strength team for this series.
To Win Match
Pakistan 29/100 | Tie 25/1 | New Zealand 26/10
Pakistan handed three players debuts in the washed-out series opener but we expect that Abram Ahmed, Irfan Khan and Usman Khan will play a bigger role in what could be their second T20Is.
Shaheen Afridi fired a warning shot of sorts with the few balls he bowled at the Black Caps in the opener.
Pakistan possess the bowling attack to put New Zealand on the backfoot which doesn’t happen often in T20 cricket.
Imad Wasim missed out on a return to the playing XI last time out but Mohammad Amir was named in the XI having recently reversed his international retirement.
The Black Caps didn’t get much cricket played in the opener but Tim Robinson got a two-ball duck in his international debut after he got cleaned up by Shaheen Afridi.
It is likely that New Zealand will field an unchanged XI and will lean heavily on the experience of Jimmy Neesham and Michael Bracewell with the bat.
Meanwhile with the ball Ish Sodhi has the most exposure to cricket at this level and he will be a vital wicket-taking weapon for skipper Bracewell.
Left-arm quick Ben Lister might be able to get the inside track on T20 World Cup selection if he can bowl well in this series.
Verdict: Pakistan 29/100
Pakistan have a strong lineup even if they decide to hand more game-time to a few fringe players and they should overwhelm the visitors.
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