NZ vs PAK 1st T20I, Preview: New Zealand favourites for the third series in a row

Pakistan and New Zealand recently locked horns in a five-match One-Day International series. While the Kiwis were clinical in their approach, the visitors were rusty and erratic. Subsequently, the Black Caps annihilated them and registered a clean sweep in the series. The teams will now face each other in a three-match T20 International series which commences tomorrow.

The first game of the series will be played at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. While New Zealand will be looking to replicate their rich vein of form, Pakistan will be itching to turn around their fortunes after an abysmal ODI series. The pitch has historically favoured the batsmen and the opening game promises to be another high-scoring affair.

The Men in Green will also be looking to draw level with the Black Caps in T20 International at this venue. The teams last played each other in Wellington in January 2016 where Pakistan succumbed to a 95-run defeat. The New Zealanders racked up 196 runs courtesy Corey Anderson’s blitz with the willow. In reply, the visiting team turned out to be no match as they were shot out for a modest 101 runs in 16.1 overs.

Playing Combination

New Zealand

The New Zealand team, after their thumping wins against the Windies and Pakistan, is oozing with confidence. They have announced an interchangeable 13-man squad where the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor and Lockie Ferguson will be rested during different stages of the series.

With the likes of Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and Colin de Grandhomme in the ranks, there’s no death of firepower in their batting. Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi have complemented each other well in the spin-bowling area. They also have Seth Rance, Southee and also Ben Wheeler who is making a comeback to the national team after a year.

Probable XI: Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Bruce, Glenn Phillips (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Seth Rance

Pakistan

They were awful in the ODI series and thus drubbed 5-0 and going into the first T20I have plenty to work on. The Sarfraz Ahmed led team suffered a blow when Shoaib Malik had to return back home after suffering a head injury in the third ODI. However, the team management decided not to announce a replacement for the all-rounder.

The squad is an impressive one on paper and Pakistan will look to translate the same on the field. Fakhar Zaman and Umar Amin are most likely to open with Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez to follow, a lineup which keeps them in good stead ahead of the series. The bowling has Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali, two of Pakistan’s top performers last year.

Probable XI: Fakhar Zaman, Umar Amin, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed(c &wk), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan, Rumman Raees,

Head to Head Record:

Overal T20Is

Played- 15 | New Zealand- 7 | Pakistan 8

In New Zealand

Played- 6 | New Zealand-4 | Pakistan-2

Focus will be on-

Colin Munro

Munro has been in riveting form in recent times. In the team’s previous series against Windies, he became the first batsman to notch three centuries in T20 Internationals. He also dished out some handy knocks in the ODI series against Pakistan and scored them at a handsome strike rate of 145.79. It’s evident from his current form that the opposition will have to bowl out of their skins to restrict the swashbuckling batter. Also, his gentle medium pace bowling can also turn handy for the team.

Hasan Ali

Hasan Ali has effortlessly been Pakistan’s gun bowler in international cricket. They won the Champions Trophy in June riding on Ali’s masterclasses with the leather and he hasn’t looked back ever since. He recently bagged the award for the Emerging Cricketer of the Year at the recent ICC Awards 2017. The 23-year-old is no mug with the bat either as he put that up on display in the recently concluded ODI series.

StatAttack

53 – Colin Munro needs 53 runs to complete 1000 T20I runs

74 – Martin Guptill needs 74 runs to complete 2000 T20I runs

Broadcast details

Match time: 8:30 AM IST

TV: Star Sports Select 1, Star Sports Select HD 1

Online: Hotstar

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