Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st T20I, Match Prediction: Who will win the match?

The Kiwis are playing their first international game since March.

Published - 30 Oct 2018, 18:31 IST | Updated - 30 Oct 2018, 18:31 IST

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New Zealand are the new visitors in the United Arab Emirates to challenge Pakistan in the shortest format of the game. The two teams will lock horns in the first of the three-match T20I series in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. While the Men in Green are riding high on confidence after whitewashing Australia, the Kiwis are coming fresh off a break from international circuit. It will be interesting to see if they will be able to go past the World number 1 T20I side in this series.

Sarfraz Ahmed hoped to continue the winning momentum after the third T20I a couple of days ago and he will mean business in the first game straight away. There is no room for complacency in cricket especially in the 20-overs format and a full strength side should be back to facing New Zealand. All the bases are perfectly covered for Pakistan and only their unpredictability can haunt them now.

The Blackcaps, on the other hand, will be keen on making a good start to the tour. They are playing their first international game since March this year. The busy schedule begins for them in the lead up to the World Cup and with every passing game, they will be looking at the big prize event next year in England. Kane Williamson holds the key for this team in any conditions and a lot will depend on how he fares during the three-hour action at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Team Combinations

Pakistan

Pakistan announced the 12-man squad ahead of the series opener and Fakhar Zaman has been left out due to injury. Sahibzada Farhan did well in the previous game and will continue opening the batting with Babar Azam. Even Shoaib Malik has confirmed his availability despite being blessed with the baby boy on Tuesday. There will be a toss-up between Shaheen Afridi and Usman Khan as both have been doing well of late. Though the 18-year-old is likely to get a nod.

Probable XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali.

New Zealand

New Zealand have been hamstrung with an injury to Martin Guptill who has been ruled out of the tour. Williamson or Glenn Phillips will open with Colin Munro while Ross Taylor’s experience will be crucial for them in the middle-order. Mark Chapman is also an aggressive batsman while the all-rounders Corey Anderson and Colin de Grandhomme will take care of the death overs.

Anderson will play a key role as he has been around with the ‘A’ team for over a month now. Tim Southee will lead the inexperienced bowling attack with Lockie Ferguson most likely to be preferred as the second pace bowler courtesy of his fiery pace. Ish Sodhi and Ajaz Patel will look after the spin department and their performance will be important for the visitors in these conditions.

Probable XI: Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips (wk), Ross Taylor, Mark Chapman, Corey Anderson, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel, Lockie Ferguson