Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st T20I: PAK vs NZ Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details

Pakistan gear up to take New Zealand on for the first T20I of the five-match series. Both sides will face each other at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday, April 14. With several big names returning to the host’s lineup, the Men in Green will be keen on improving upon their performances after their T20I series loss to Afghanistan recently.

On the other hand, New Zealand will come into the series on the back of a series win against Sri Lanka where they won the three-match series 2-1. Led by Tom Latham, they have some big names in their lineup, including the likes of Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, and many more. However, being the visitors, it won’t be an easy task for them to defeat the Babar Azam-led Pakistan.

The last time both sides took each other on in a T20 match was at the 2022 T20 World Cup back in November in the semi-finals of the competition . The last time Pakistan prevailed, and being at home and having a stronger side on paper, the Men in Green could be up for an exciting contest in the first T20I.

With players like Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne and many others in superb form, New Zealand could give the Babar Azam-led side a run for their money. Following the five-match T20I series, New Zealand and Pakistan will also face each other for a five-match ODI series which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 27.

Pitch and Conditions:

The surface at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore offers a batter-friendly pitch and with the side chasing having the advantage, the team that wins the toss will look to bowl first.

Probable Playing XIs for PAK vs NZ, 1st T20I:

New Zealand

New Zealand have a plethora of talent in their line-up with the likes of Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, and Adam Milne expected to be in the line-up. The game against a full-fledged Pakistan could be a thrilling encounter.

Probable Playing XI: Chad Bowes, Tim Seifert, Tom Latham (c & wk), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi

Pakistan

Led by Babar Azam, many players will make their return to the lineup after being rested for their recent T20I series against Afghanistan. Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shan Masood will be expected to make a big impact throughout the series.

Probable Playing XI: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

PAK vs NZ Head-to-Head in T20Is:

Played – 29 New Zealand – 11