Pakistan vs New Zealand: T20I series kicks off

CHIRSTCHURCH: The eagerly awaited T20 International (T20I) series between Pakistan vs New Zealand is set to commence from March 16, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The series is particularly important for Pakistan, who is looking to bounce back after a disappointing exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Read more: PAK vs NZ: Shadab Khan optimistic on new players’ performance

The Men in Green failed to secure a single victory in the group stage, whereas, the Kiwis reached the final of the tournament. They only narrowly lost to India in the finals.

The series will consist of five T20Is followed by three ODIs, providing both teams with ample opportunity to showcase their skills and make necessary adjustments ahead of future competition.

The first T20I is scheduled to start at 6:15 am local time, and fans are eager to see how the teams perform, despite two years of dismal performance by the guests.

Pakistan’s squad has undergone significant changes, with Salman Ali Agha taking over the captaincy from Mohammad Rizwan, who, along with Babar Azam, has been omitted from the T20I lineup.

The sudden shift indicates a new direction for the team, with vice-captain Shadab Khan stepping into a more prominent role, even addressing media right before the team departed for the Oceania country.

Shadab was also seen practising diligently, hitting impressive shots. Many fans expressed anger over initial announcement of Shadab’s inclusion into the squad, with several pointing out his lack of experience and gameplay in recent years, even in domestic cricket.

On the other hand, the Kiwis announced two squads for the T20I series, with Michael Bracewell leading the team. The first three matches will feature a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents, including Daryl Mitchell, Jacob Duffy and Michael Bracewell himself.

Bracewell’s leadership will be vital, especially with several key players unavailable due to their commitments in the Indian Premiere League (IPL), which will begin shortly after the T20I series.

Recent performances indicate that both teams have strengths and weaknesses that could influence the outcome of the matches. In their last five encounters, Pakistan has won two matches, while the Black Caps claimed three victories.

Notably, Pakistan won their last match against New Zealand by 9 runs, giving a glimpse of hope that they can compete closely against the Kiwis.

Key players to watch include Daryl Mitchell for New Zealand, having scored 151 runs in his last seven matches at an average of 30.2. Jacob Duffy is a close contender, as he took eight wickets at an impressive economy rate of 5.94.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has some stars to offer, as well. Usman Khan and Irfan Khan will be crucial, with the former scoring 119 runs in ten matches while the latter contributed 105 runs in seven matches.

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As the Pakistan vs New Zealand series unfolds, both teams will be looking to establish dominance early on, with the first T20I serving as an important starting point for their respective campaigns.

The match at the Hagley Oval promises to be an exciting clash of talent, strategy and determination, setting the stage for a – hopefully –  exciting series ahead.