PAK vs NZ 1st T20I | Preview, Pitch Report, Predicted Playing XIs, Fantasy Tips & Prediction
Pakistan to take on New Zealand in white-ball series [Twitter]
Amidst an exciting Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Pakistan and New Zealand will clash in a three-match T20I series beginning tomorrow. The hosts will be captained by regular skipper Babar Azam, while the visitors are being led by Tom Latham.
The first T20I will be held in Lahore, which will also play host to the second and third matches as well.
Team Preview
Pakistan
Pakistan are coming off a T20I series defeat against Afghanistan last month, however, they were without their top stars. Apart from Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Iftikhar Ahmed are all making a return.
A lot of talk around captaincy could derail Pakistan's preparations and give New Zealand a little sneak.
Individually, both Azam and Rizwan could steal Suryakumar Yadav's No.1 spot in the ICC T20I Rankings for Batters if they score daddy runs.
Pakistan will look to improve their home T20I record, having lost their last series against England last year 3-4.
New Zealand
New Zealand visit Pakistan in for the second time this year to play a rescheduled T20I series under Latham's leadership. Latham will be leading a young and inexperienced side, with several top players featuring in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
Much will depend on Latham, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Matt Henry, and Ish Sodhi, who have had multiple tours of the nation.
The Black Caps will be high on confidence having won the ODI series in January, and beat a tough Sri Lanka side earlier this month at home in T20Is.
Match Details
Date & Time: April 14, 9:30 PM IST
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Live Streaming and Broadcast: SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network
Pitch Report
The Gaddafi track is known to be batter-friendly, however, it does offer a bit of assistance to the spinners in the second half of the match. As seen in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023, the matches here were high-scoring, with teams choosing to chase down runs.
Probable Playing XI
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Haris Hauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah.
New Zealand: Chad Bowes, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Tom Latham (c and wk), Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Henry Shipley, Adam Milne, and Matt Henry.
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Tom Latham
Batters: Fakhar Zaman, Mark Chapman, Babar Azam
All-Rounders: Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Daryl Mitchell
Bowlers: Haris Rauf, Adam Milne, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Captain: Babar Azam
Vice Captain: Tom Latham
Prediction
Pakistan are firm favourite to win the encounter given their experience playing at home.
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