PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: In a bid to step up their preparations for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean and the USA, Pakistan are set to host New Zealand for a five-game T20I series. The PAK vs NZ T20I series begins on April 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The early signs for the match aren’t promising enough as there are significant chances of rain interrupting the fixture between Pakistan and New Zealand.
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Pakistan will re-welcome their long-standing skipper Babar Azam, who has recently been re-instated as the white-ball captain of the side. Shaheen Shah Afridi, who unfortunately got just one T20I series to lead, was dropped by the Moshin Naqvi-led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will be bracing themselves to challenge the second-string New Zealand T20I side in the upcoming five T20Is. The Kiwis will be without the services of their regular players, who are currently involved with their duties in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Hence a second-string squad has been sent to Pakistan, led by Michael Bracewell, to play out the 5-game T20I series.
On the other side, Pakistan will be at their full strength for the T20I series. The likes of Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir, who had announced their retirement earlier, have been included in the team to bolster it further.
Before the action begins in Rawalpindi, here we have brought to you, PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: Rain Prediction, Weather Forecast of Rawalpindi, Pitch Report Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
PAK vs NZ 1st T20I Details
Tour Details: New Zealand tour of Pakistan 2024
Match: PAK vs NZ 1st T20I
Day/Date: Thursday/April 18, 2024
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Time: 7:30 PM
PAK vs NZ 1st T20I Weather Forecast
Pakistan is likely to experience rain showers in its various parts on April 18 (Thursday) including Rawalpindi. The city is anticipated to witness a downpour accompanied by thunderstorms and it may extend throughout the week. The Meteorological Department of Pakistan has predicted, a “rain-windstorm/thunderstorm with an isolated hailstorm.”
PAK vs NZ 1st T20I Rain Prediction
With thunderstorms already predicted in various parts of Pakistan, the Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st T20I stands a good chance to get washed out. The forecast shows a 30 per cent chance of rain during the day on April 18, and it will increase to 70 per cent during the night in Rawalpindi.
It’s noteworthy that Pakistan’s practice session yesterday was also delayed due to rain in Rawalpindi.
Pitch Report Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
The recent PSL saw Rawalpindi offer a mixed wicket for the teams to play on. The surface remains largely flat throughout the game to produce the run-fests more often than not. The quick bowlers may get some movement early on, but it doesn’t last long enough. There is decent bounce on the surface as well.
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