PAK vs NZ 1st T20I Dream11 Prediction: While most of the cricket world is busy admiring and experiencing the high octane Indian Premier League (IPL) in India, Pakistan is set to host New Zealand for a T20I series in what can be called a low-key engagement between the two sides. The New Zealand tour of Pakistan for 5 T20Is begins on April 18 with both the sides locking horns against each other in the opening encounter at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
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Why we said it a low-key bilateral series is because New Zealand is not at their best as they travel to Pakistan for the T20I series. Most of their prominent T20I batters, who will actually walk into the playing11 anyday, are busy plying their trade in the ongoing IPL 2024. A second string squad has been offered to Pakistan by the New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC), which will be led by Michael Bracewell.
On the other side, Pakistan is on their full strength, at least on paper. Babar Azam has made a comeback in the captians capacity in the T20I side. He will replace Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was given just a solitary series run as the leader of the side.
Pakistan also marks the return of Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir, who have take a U-turn from their international retirement only with the hopes of playing the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean and the USA.
For Pakistan, most of their prominent players are available and there aren’t any injury concerns as well, barring Haris Rauf, who is currently nursing a shoulder injury which he sustained during the PSL 2024.
PAK vs NZ 1st T20I Overview
Series/Tour: New Zealand tour of Pakistan 2024
Match: PAK vs NZ 1st T20I
Day/Date: Thursday/April 18, 2024
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Time: 08:00 PM IST
PAK vs NZ 1st T20I Expected Playing11
Pakistan’s Expected Playing11: Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Azam Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan/Mohammad Amir
New Zealand’s Expected Playing11: Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell (c), Jacob Duffy, Tim Seifert, Tom Blundell (WK), Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Adam Milne, Ben Lister, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi
PAK vs NZ 1st T20I Full Squad
Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Naseem Shah, Azam Khan, Mohammad Amir, Zaman Khan, Abbas Afridi, Irfan Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
New Zealand Squad: Tim Seifert(w), Michael Bracewell(c), Josh Clarkson, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Ben Sears, William ORourke, Zakary Foulkes, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister, Dean Foxcroft, Tom Blundell, Cole McConchie
PAK vs NZ 1st T20I Dream11 Prediction
Wicketkeeper: Tim Siefert (wk)
Batters: Saim Ayub, Mark Chapman, Fakhar Zaman,
All-Rounders: Shabad Khan, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell,
Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Ish Sodhi, Naseem Shah, Mohamamd Amir.
PAK vs NZ 1st T20I Captain & Vice-Captain Picks
Captain: Saim Ayub
Vice-Captain: Tim Siefert/Shadab Khan
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
Most of the surfaces in Pakistan offer flat wickets. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is no different. The batters have ablsolutely rocked the fixtures held at this venue more often than not. There is some bounce on the wicket, but it gets even to bat on as the innings progresses. The spinners may get some assistance later in the innings. All in all, expect a proper run-fest from Pakistan and New Zealand.