League: IPL
Pakistan (PAK) will face New Zealand (NZ) in the first T20 International (T20I) of the five-match series on Thursday. Babar Azam will return as Pakistan’s skipper, while Michael Bracewell will lead New Zealand.
The encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
The Pindi venue is renowned for its flat pitches, often resulting in high-scoring contests. These wickets offer good bounce, aiding fast bowlers in the early stages of matches and providing spinners with opportunities as the game progresses. Initially, the new ball favours batters, especially during the powerplay overs, enabling them to score briskly. However, as the match unfolds, the pitch loses pace, favouring spinners who can capitalize on the surface’s variations and turns. Despite this, the dew factor could influence proceedings, potentially benefiting the chasing team.
Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan
Batters: Babar Azam, Mark Chapman, Cole McConchie, Fakhar Zaman
All-rounders: Jimmy Neesham, Shadab Khan
Bowlers: Mohammad Amir, Ish Sodhi, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah
Choice 1: Babar Azam (c), Jimmy Neesham (vc)
Choice 2: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Shaheen Afridi (vc)
Imad Wasim, Michael Bracewell, Tim Seifert, Saim Ayub
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.