NZ Vs PAK Dream11 Prediction: 3 Top Captain Or Vice-Captain Choices For 1st T20I

Kaushik Kashyap

NZ will take on PAK on Sunday. [Source - espncricinfo/criccrazyjohns/x.com]NZ will take on PAK on Sunday. [Source - espncricinfo/criccrazyjohns/x.com]

New Zealand will take on Pakistan in the 1st T20I of the five match series on Sunday, March 16. The match will be hosted at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch is scheduled to start at 6:45 AM IST.

NZ were last seen in action in T20Is in a series against Sri Lanka which they won convincingly. With the T20 World Cup fast approaching next year, the Kiwis will be looking to continue their winning momentum and start the series with a win.

On the other hand, Pakistan has arrived in New Zealand with a young squad, eager to make a statement after the Champions Trophy debacle. They suffered a defeat against South Africa in their last outing and will be hoping to change that with a win down under.

 Here are the top three captain and vice-captain choices for NZ Vs PAK 1st T20I.

3. Shaheen Shah Afridi

Why Will Shaheen Shah Afridi Be A Good Choice As The Captain Or Vice-captain?

Form is temporary and class is permanent for someone like Shaheen Shah Afridi who will be playing his favourite format. In T20Is the left-arm pacer is a different bowler altogether and we have seen his consistency years after years.

He will undoubtedly be one of the best captain or vice-captain choices ahead of this match. Shaheen was the highest wicket-taker when these two sides met last year in a series, taking 8 wickets at an average of 10. Additionally, he loves playing against NZ and particularly at the Hagley Oval where he has 5 wickets at a strike-rate of 8.80.

2. Finn Allen

Why Will Finn Allen Be A Good Choice As The Captain Or Vice-captain?

Finn Allen has been a consistent performer for New Zealand in T20Is recently. His numbers since speaks for himself as he has been NZ’s best batter with 361 runs at an average of 30.8 and 167.13 strike-rate.

Moreover, he loves batting against Pakistan as he has managed a total of 366 runs against them at a strike-rate of 183, including a ton last year. On his day he can win the match for his side all on his own and that's why he will be one of the top picks for the fantasy XI ahead of this game.

1. Daryl Mitchell

Why Will Daryl Mitchell Be A Good Choice As The Captain Or Vice-captain?

Daryl Mitchell has been a consistent performer for the Kiwis in all formats of the game. His all-round abilities are unmatched and that makes him different from everyone to be one of the first choices of captain or vice-captain for this match.

Notably, Mitchell has an incredible record in both T20s and T20Is at the Hagley Oval. In Fact he is yet to get dismissed in T20Is at this very venue, with 102 runs at a strike-rate of 167.21. Moreover, he has enjoyed playing against Pakistan where he has 309 runs at a strike-rate of 152.11 across 11 games.