Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I, Preview- The Kiwis seek revival after a heartbreak in series opener

After several months of hibernation, New Zealand cricket team finally resumed action with the three-match T20I series against Pakistan. The Blackcaps did look slightly rusty in the opening game where they lost the game by a heart-breaking two runs. However, they will want to get back on track for the second T20I that will be played on Friday.

New Zealand were exceptional on the field and decent with the ball in the previous game. However, it is their batsmen who seemed to have taken a tad longer to adjust to the conditions. Apart from Colin Munro and Ross Taylor, the others will also be eager to join the party and help the side level the series.

For Pakistan, it is their bowlers who have been delivering time and again. The batsmen haven’t pulled off anything special of sorts in the last four T20Is. They have just about managed to put up a defendable total and the bowlers have responded handsomely. However, looking at how close things have got, Pakistani batsmen would want to churn out a better show in the 2nd T20I.

Team Combinations

Pakistan

Pakistan will not have to change much for this match. Babar Azam will open the innings and will be accompanied by the relatively inexperienced Sahibzada Farhan. Asif Ali seems to be an attacking option who will continue to be slotted at number three. Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik along with skipper Sarfraz Ahmed will add stability to the middle order. Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan will be the three all-rounders while Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi will share the pace duties.

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

New Zealand

New Zealand as well has nothing much to change. The XI they fielded in the previous game is possibly their best combination. Glenn Philips will open with Colin Munro. Kane Williamson will come in at three. However, after this trio, the middle order looks slightly fragile. Ross Taylor looked to be in good touch. Corey Anderson and Colin de Grandhomme will have to churn out better results with the bat in hand. The bowling lineup of the side looks to be well settled.

Predicted XI: Glenn Phillips, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Tim Seifert, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel.

Focus will be on

Asif Ali (Pakistan)

Asif Ali got to a good start in the first T20I. He scored 24 off 21 balls before an unbelievable effort from Glenn Phillips on the field put curtains to his innings. Ali should look to play more freely and will have to take the game to the bowlers. A brief, yet brisk innings from this 27-year-old will set the tone for Pakistan in their batting innings so that the batsmen lower down the order can come in and go all guns blazing.

Ross Taylor (New Zealand)

Ross Taylor would have been very disappointed not to have finished the game the other night. He was one of those few Kiwi batsmen who looked in good touch. Taylor, if in case a similar situation arises yet again, will be determined to take his team through. Being a good player of spin is an added advantage for this 34-year-old.

Head to Head

Overall

Matches – 19 | Pakistan won – 11 | New Zealand won – 8 | NR/Tie – 0

In the UAE

Matches – 5 | Pakistan won – 4 | New Zealand won – 1 | NR/Tie – 0

Stat Attack

88– Runs Babar Azam needs in the next two T20I innings to break Virat Kohli’s record of fastest to 1000 T20I runs.

1– Shadab Khan needs one more wicket to go past Saeed Ajmal’s 25 wickets in 2012; the most by a Pakistan bowler in a T20I calendar year. He has taken 25 T20I wickets in 2018.

Broadcast Details

TV – Sony Six and Sony Six HD

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

Match Timings: 21:30 IST | 20:00 local

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