PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction, IPL Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Updates For 1st T20I

Babar Azam is back as the captain of the team.

ByĀ CricTracker Staff

Updated - 18 Apr 2024, 10:50 IST

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Table Of Contents

Preview

Pakistan (PAK) will be up against New Zealand (NZ) in the first of the five T20Is of the upcoming series. Pakistan will be hosting New Zealand in the series, which is a part of the preparatory assignment of the two teams ahead of the T20 WC 2024, which is set to start on the 2nd of June, later this year. These two teams know each other very well, having played against each other a lot in recent times. They played a series with each other earlier this year, which took place in New Zealand. 

New Zealand won the series 4-1. Last year, New Zealand had toured Pakistan for a five-match T20I series. Both teams would be looking forward to the series, which will be helpful to try their team combination. Pakistan will be playing with their full-strength squad, as all their key players are available. On the other hand, New Zealand will be playing with a squad of players who are not a part of the IPL 2024. They are led by Michael Bracewell in the series and lack some top players in their lineup.

The likes of Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Rachin Ravindra, Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry are a part of the league. Pakistan features the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan in their lineup. However, the focus will be on the trio of Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, and Imad Wasim. While Naseem will be playing his first series since the Asia Cup 2023, Amir is back in action after taking retirement. Imad will be playing for the first time in years for Pakistan.

Also Check: PAK vs NZ Match Prediction: Who will win today's 1st T20I match?

Match Information

Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st T20I

New Zealand tour of Pakistan, 18 Apr 2024, Thur, 8:30 PM IST ,Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Live Stream

FanCode

Weather Report

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Clear

17.8Ā°C

62% (Humidity)

Players Stats in current Series

1

Mark Chapman

NZ - all

126 Runs

5Ā Matches

2

Babar Azam

PAK - bat

125 Runs

5Ā Matches

3

Fakhar Zaman

PAK - bat

104 Runs

2Ā Matches

4

85 Runs

4Ā Matches

5

Tim Robinson

NZ - bat

83 Runs

4Ā Matches

6

78 Runs

4Ā Matches

1

Shadab Khan

PAK - all

190.91

5Ā Matches

2

Imad Wasim

PAK - all

185.71

2Ā Matches

3

168.42

2Ā Matches

4

Usama Mir

PAK - bowl

166.67

2Ā Matches

5

Mark Chapman

NZ - all

159.49

5Ā Matches

6

144.07

4Ā Matches

1

Shaheen Afridi

PAK - bowl

8 Wkts

4Ā Matches

2

Abbas Afridi

PAK - bowl

5 Wkts

3Ā Matches

4 Wkts

3Ā Matches

4

Ish Sodhi

NZ - bowl

4 Wkts

5Ā Matches

5

Shadab Khan

PAK - all

3 Wkts

5Ā Matches

6

Usama Mir

PAK - bowl

3 Wkts

2Ā Matches

1

Ben Lister

NZ - bowl

5.00

2Ā Matches

2

Abrar Ahmed

PAK - bowl

5.75

3Ā Matches

3

Shadab Khan

PAK - all

6.75

5Ā Matches

7.08

3Ā Matches

5

Ish Sodhi

NZ - bowl

7.23

5Ā Matches

6

Shaheen Afridi

PAK - bowl

7.38

4Ā Matches

Probable Playing XI

Pakistan

Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (C), FK Zaman, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, IM Wasim, SH Khan, S Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Usama Mir

Bench : Usman Khan, Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Z Khan

New Zealand

Tom Blundell, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), MS Chapman, D Foxcroft, Michael Bracewell (C), James Neesham, Ish Sodhi, AF Milne, Ben Sears, William Oā€™Rourke

Bench : Tim Robinson, JA Clarkson, CE McConchie, Zak Foulkes, JA Duffy, BG Lister

Injury and availability news

Will be added when there is an update.

Pitch Report

The first T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand is set to take place at Rawalpindi cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. In Test cricket, it is known to be a flat surface. However, in T20 cricket, it has a totally different surface. The pitch in Rawalpindi assists the bowlers. Spinners will get help from the surface due to their slow nature. For pacers, there will be some early swing. They need to vary pace. Batters need to farm strike and apply themselves in the middle.

50%

Pace Bowling

50%

Spin Bowling

40%

Batting Pitch

154

Average Score

60%

Bowling Pitch

Player Picks

9
C

Mohammad Rizwan PAK | WK

Mohammad Rizwan is a consistent batter. He knows the conditions of Rawalpindi well. On slow tracks, he becomes a vital factor to his side. The star player will also keep wickets for Pakistan. Hence, he becomes a great asset to the side.

7.5
C

Mark Chapman NZ | ALL

Mark Chapman was the best batter when these two sides met each other in a T20I series in Pakistan. The Southpaw adapted well to the Asian conditions. He is a proven player against spin and can take on the home side with intent.

8.5
C

Ish Sodhi NZ | BOWL

Ish Sodhi is a wicket-taking bowler. In the middle order, Pakistan lacks someone who can strike him for boundaries. Hence, he becomes a dangerous weapon for New Zealand. Not to forget, the leg-spinner is an experienced player.

9

Babar Azam PAK | BAT

Babar Azam is back as the skipper of Pakistan. The star player will now lead Pakistan in the series against New Zealand and in the T20 World Cup 2024. The star batter would be hoping to embrace the role by performing well as a batter.

8

Iftikhar Ahmed PAK | ALL

Iftikhar Ahmed is a multi-dimensional player. He can bat a bit higher in the order and anchor the innings. His natural role is to finish the innings in which he is very good. With the ball, he can be handy with his part-time bowling option.

9

Shaheen Afridi PAK | BOWL

Shaheen Afridi is a beast with the new ball. With captaincy no longer a burden on him, the left-arm pacer can concentrate on his bowling. The star pacer can take wickets upfront and impact the game in the first 6 overs.

8.5

Ben Sears NZ | BOWL

Bean Sears is one of the emerging pacers from New Zealand. He can swing he ball early on and be handy with the bouncers in the death overs. He can operate at a high pace and trouble the batters. The right-arm pacer has been good in 2024.

8

Azam Khan PAK | WK

Azam Khan had a blast in the PSL 2024. Even before that, he took part in the series against New Zealand and batted well in their own backyard. Given the familiarity with the home conditions, the aggressive batter is expected to fire.

8.5

William Oā€™Rourke NZ | BOWL

William O'Rourke is a good spinner. He might be the backup option for Ish Sodhi and play a supportive role in holding one end up. If the batters try to take him on, the spinner can claim wickets too. It will be a good learning experience for him.

Avoid Having These Players In Your Fantasy Sports Team

9

Mohammad Amir

PAK | BOWL

Mohammad Amir bowled well in the PSL 2024. However, he has been out of action for a long time in international cricket. While it would be interesting to see how he bowls, it is risky to have him in the fantasy team in his comeback match.

8

Saim Ayub

PAK | BAT

Saim Ayub is a talented player. He can bat well in the middle order and knows the home conditions well. However, due to the presence of better players in the team, he might not feature in the playing XI for the first game against New Zealand.

Last Updated On - Apr 18 2024 10:50 AM

Players
11/11

Team 1

PAK

4 : 7

NZ

Credits Left
10.5/100

Head To Head
Azam Khan
VC

8

Tim Seifert

8

Babar Azam

9

Fakhar Zaman

9

Mark Chapman

7.5

Tim Robinson

7

Imad Wasim

7.5

James Neesham

8

Ish Sodhi
C

8.5

Ben Sears

8.5

William Oā€™Rourke

8.5

Players
11/11

Team 1

PAK

4 : 7

NZ

Credits Left
10.5/100

Grand League
Azam Khan

8

Tim Seifert

8

Babar Azam

9

Fakhar Zaman

9

Mark Chapman

7.5

Tim Robinson

7

Imad Wasim
VC

7.5

James Neesham

8

Ish Sodhi
C

8.5

Ben Sears

8.5

William Oā€™Rourke

8.5

Players
11/11

Team 1

PAK

9 : 2

NZ

Credits Left
8/100

Mega League
Mohammad Rizwan

9

Babar Azam
VC

9

Fakhar Zaman

9

Mark Chapman
C

7.5

Iftikhar Ahmed

8

Shadab Khan

8.5

Imad Wasim

7.5

Naseem Shah

8.5

Shaheen Afridi

9

Usama Mir

7.5

Ish Sodhi

8.5

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Players
11/11

Team 1

PAK

9 : 2

NZ

Credits Left
8/100

CricTracker Special
Mohammad Rizwan

9

Babar Azam
VC

9

Fakhar Zaman

9

Mark Chapman
C

7.5

Iftikhar Ahmed

8

Shadab Khan

8.5

Imad Wasim

7.5

Naseem Shah

8.5

Shaheen Afridi

9

Usama Mir

7.5

Ish Sodhi

8.5

More Match Details

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Disclaimer

This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.

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