New Zealand caught Pakistan cold in the first T20I with a new-look side starting the series well. The two teams meet again on Sunday at Seddon Park.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Pakistan haven’t had the best preparations and looked like a team who have been cooped up in a hotel for a few weeks in their first outing but they will have little time to improve.
New Zealand vs Pakistan | Sunday 20 December | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 08:00
To Win Match
New Zealand 47/100
Tie 25/1
Pakistan 7/4
New Zealand
New Zealand will be delighted to see their effort in the series opener carried by fresh blood with seamer Jacob Duffy enjoying a stunning debut.
Tim Seifert thrived opening the batting, arguably his best position in the format, but the Black Caps weren’t under much pressure during their chase.
New Zealand bat deep and are a difficult side to throw off your scent in a chase, it was Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell Santner who saw them home in the opener though and the pair have made it a habit to ensure they close things out once they get to the crease.
The Black Caps have won seven of the ten T20Is they have played at Seddon Park in Hamilton with their most recent match at the venue ending in a tie.
Pakistan
Pakistan’s lower order showed a lot of guts in the opening match to give themselves something to bowl at, but their top-order collapse and dismal powerplay effort proved too much to overcome.
The tourists have plenty of explosive power but showed a critical shortage of experience when it came to shot selection in Auckland.
Despite misfiring badly in the opener, the across the board nature of their flop might just save the Pakistan top-order from being rotated out. Mohammad Rizwan should continue to open the batting with Abdullah Shafique, and Haider Ali will likely stay at three.
Pakistan have played two T20Is at Seddon Park, losing both by comfortable margins.
Verdict: New Zealand 47/100
The hosts should strike the killer blow.
Written by James Richardson.
