Pakistan and New Zealand are scheduled to lock horns in a pivotal five-match T20I series starting 18th April with the first T20I. The first T20I will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday with Babar Azam set to lead Pakistan and Michael Bracewell New Zealand. The high-octane series will serve as a significant opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their strategies in preparations for the upcoming T20I World Cup 2024.

With the T20I World Cup looming large on the horizon, both Pakistan and New Zealand find themselves in a phase of meticulous preparation and strategic planning. Pakistan will be shouldering the weight of expectations after remaining runner up in the T20I World Cup 2022, having beaten by England in the final. 

For Pakistan, under the leadership of vastly experienced Babar Azam, they would look to make an impact and gather confidence in the run up to the T20I World Cup. Pakistan have a plethora of massively talented players such as, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan and Azam Khan in the batting order, whereas Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan will consolidate their bowling attack. 

Pakistan will further be boosted by the availability of Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir who both recently came out of their international retirements, making themselves available for the team. 

On the opposing side, New Zealand, under the leadership of Michael Bracewell, will exude huge confidence. However, they are missing the services of their experienced players Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner among others as they all are in India playing the ongoing Indian Premier League for their respective franchises. 

With the likes of Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Adam Milne and Tom Blundell, New Zealand would look forward to posing a formidable challenge to Pakistan

Head to Head

Matches - 39

Pak Won - 21

NZ Won - 17

PAK Probable XI: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Azam Khan (WK), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan/Mohammad Amir

NZ Probable XI: Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Tom Blundell (wk), Ish Sodhi