Shaheen Afridi And...? 3 Potential Match-Winners For Pakistan In New Zealand T20Is

Anurag Dasgupta

3 match winners for Pakistan [Source: AP Photo] 3 match winners for Pakistan [Source: AP Photo]

Pakistan will need to leave behind the painful memories of Champions Trophy 2025 behind as they have a bigger task in hand at the moment. The Pakistan team will now take on New Zealand in a white-ball series, with the T20Is coming up first. The team has made quite a few changes in the T20Is and will look to win a series as a consolation prize.

Pakistan team has several match-winners in the squad and New Zealand need to be wary of them in the matches. Here are 3 match-winners in the side who can trouble the Kiwis in their own backyard.

1) Shaheen Afridi

Afridi T20I stats Vs New Zealand

Criterion
Data
Matches21
Dismissals33
Average18.54
Economy8.14

The leader of the Pakistan bowling attack, Shaheen Afridi had a disastrous Champions Trophy campaign, and failed to deliver the goods. However, he has been brilliant in T20Is Vs the Kiwis. In just 21 matches, he has 33 scalps Vs the Kiwis in T20Is, and averages a mere 18.54.

He has been exceptional against the Black Caps and will be the key player once again as the pitches in New Zealand will suit his bowling style. The conditions there help the pacers and Shaheen could take advantage of it.

2) Mohammad Haris

Haris stats in T20s

Criterion
Data
Matches109
Runs2369
Strike-rate145.60

The comeback man of the Pakistan side, Mohammad Haris is most likely to open the batting and could utilise the small grounds of New Zealand. He doesn't have the best of T20I stats, but his T20 numbers are staggering and he could potentially be a game-changer for his team.

In 109 T20s, Haris has scored 2369 runs, at a strike-rate of 145.60. Pakistan in the absence of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman need an aggressor and Haris can play that role to perfection.

3) Usman Khan

Usman Khan T20 stats

Criterion
Data
Matches62
Runs1724
Strike-rate145.48

Perhaps the most destructive batter in the Pakistan T20I lineup, Usman Khan didn't play in the Champions Trophy matches, but should be a guaranteed starter. He is build for T20 format and can easily clear the New Zealand grounds, which are generally 60-65m in dimensions.

The batter was in prolific form in the Bangladesh Premier League, and could be Pakistan's biggest trump card.

In 62 T20s, Usman Khan has racked up 1724 runs, with a brilliant strike-rate of 145.48 and the team needs an explosive batter in the middle-order, who could up the ante and help Pakistan win the series.