NZ vs PAK Statistical Preview: Key Stats, Records And History Ahead Of 2nd T20I

Soumyajit Dutta

Pakistan will face New Zealand for the 2nd T20I at Dunedin [Source: @TheRealPCB/X.com]Pakistan will face New Zealand for the 2nd T20I at Dunedin [Source: @TheRealPCB/X.com]

New Zealand will face Pakistan for the second T20I match on Tuesday, March 18 at 6:45 AM IST. The thrilling clash is set to be staged at the University Oval in Dunedin.

New Zealand secured a dominant 9-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first T20I, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Opting to bowl first, the hosts' pacers dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup with relentless accuracy and movement. 

Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy led the charge, while Ish Sodhi and Zakary Foulkes also chipped in as Pakistan struggled to 91 all out, with Khushdil Shah being the only batter to cross 20. 

In response, Tim Seifert's aggressive 44 off 29 balls set the tone, and despite his dismissal, Finn Allen and Tim Robinson comfortably guided New Zealand to victory in just 12.1 overs.

NZ vs PAK: Historical Overview in T20Is

Since their first T20I encounter in 2007, New Zealand and Pakistan have faced off in 45 matches. Pakistan holds a slight edge in the head-to-head record with 23 wins, while New Zealand has claimed victory in 20 games. Two matches ended without a result.

New Zealand and Pakistan Probable Playing XI

New Zealand

Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.

Pakistan

Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Agha Salman (c), Irfan Khan Niazi, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Abrar Ahmed.

Top Run-Scorers In NZ Vs PAK 1st T20I

Tim Seifert (44 runs)

Tim Seifert played a memorable knock for his team while chasing down the sub-par total posted by Pakistan. Playing at a strike rate of 151.72, Seifert smashed 7 boundaries and one six to score 44 runs of 29 balls.

Khushdil Shah (32 runs)

All-rounder Khushdil Shah was the only bright spot amidst a crumbling Men in Greenm where he smashed 3 sixes and scored at a strike rate of 106.67 to put up 32 runs off 30 deliveries.

Finn Allen (29 runs)

Finn Allen remained unbeatable partnering with Seifert and Tim Robinson. He scored at a strike rate of 170.59 and blasted 2 boundaries and 2 sixes. he scored a decent 29 off 17 balls to seal New Zealand's win.

Top Wicket-Takers In NZ Vs PAK 1st T20I

Jacob Duffy (4 wickets)

Duffy struck through Pakistan's top, middle and lower order consistently to scalp 4 wickets at an economy rate of 3.82 in his 3.4 overs. He was remarkable with the ball and was the orchestrator of Pakistan's handicap.

Kyle Jamieson (3 wickets)

Jamieson took out Mohammad Haris in the first over and Irfan Khan in the third to disable Pakistan's core. His 3-wicket scalp was instrumental in stifling Pakistan's never-building momentum as he bowled at an economy rate of 2.00 in his 4 overs.

Ish Sodhi (2 wickets)

Ish Sodhi was the second expensive bowler for New Zealand bowling at an economy rate of 6.75 in his 4 overs. However, he was successful in scalping two major wickets of Agha Salman and Muhammad Abdul Samad, which broke the last hope of Pakistan.

NZ Vs PAK Key Stats

New Zealand's Key Records

  • New Zealand haven't lost a single T20I in Dunedin
  • Finn Allen has been the highest runscorer for NZ in T20Is since 2024 - 361 runs, 30.08 average and 167.13 strike-rate.
  • Finn Allen loves playing in Dunedin with impressive records - 137 runs, an average of 137.00 at a strike rate of 220.96
  • Daryl Mitchell holds the record for the highest number of half-centuries since 2024 in this format - Three 50s, 38.62 average and 162.63 strike-rate.
  • Tim Seifert in Dunedin boasts 113 runs at an average of 56.50 and an impressive strike rate of 156.94

Pakistan’s Key Records

  • Khushdil Shah has shown consistency with the bat against New Zealand in T20Is since 2020 - 75 runs and an average of 18.75 at a strike rate of 93.75.
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi was the best bowler against New Zealand when these two sides faced each other in 2024 - 8 wickets at an average of 10.
  • Haris Rauf was successful in picking 2 wickets against New Zealand in the only match played in Dunedin - 2 wickets at an economy rate of 15.0 and a 12.0 strike rate.

Records Which Could Be Broken In NZ vs PAK 2nd T20I

  • A five-wicket haul from Shaheen Shah Afridi in this game would see him draw level with Tim Southee as the leading wicket-taker in this particular rivalry. 
  • If Haris Rauf features in the playing XI and outperforms Shaheen by two wickets in this contest, he will surpass all Pakistani bowlers to become the top wicket-taker against New Zealand in this format.

Conclusion

With an underperforming Pakistan squad in the first T20I, the upcoming match will be a potential series-decider given that the Kiwis keep up with their game. It will be an exciting match since Pakistan will also have everything to prove with fresh faces in the T20 squad.