NZ vs PAK Match Prediction | 1st T20

NZ vs PAK Betting Tips

Recent history shows that the two teams should be in for a cracker. New Zealand will look to make the most of home comforts. Pakistan will need to adjust to a change of environment. Their seamers may be unplayable on the New Zealand surfaces though.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Bengaluru Head-to-Head Record

The two teams last played a T20I series in 2024 when the New Zealanders toured the subcontinent. That match was drawn by a margin of two-all. The Pakistanis won the fifth match by nine runs.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live-streaming and Broadcast

All the matches of the New Zealand vs Pakistan T20I series will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network. The live streaming will be available on Sony LIV. Both options will be available in India. The first T20I takes place on Sunday, 16 March 2025 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

NZ vs PAK Team Previews

New Zealand

Tim Robinson, at 22 years old, he represents the future of New Zealand cricket. He is an aggressive opening batter who has earned his stripes through domestic cricket. Robinson hit 37 runs against Sri Lanka in the team’s previous T20I.

Finn Allen will shift the momentum of the game in the powerplay with his fiery stroke play and powerful strike rate. Tim Seifert is an experienced wicketkeeper-batter. Seifert's right-handed batting and agility behind the stumps provide stability and depth to the squad in the batting and fielding. He hit a half-century in his previous T20I innings versus Pakistan.

Michael Bracewell will lead the side. Bracewell is a versatile all-rounder with left-handed batting and right-arm off-spin bowling. His leadership will be tested in a newer role for him, but he will be up for the challenge. Daryl Mitchell has become a standard fixture in the Black Caps batting lineup since his introduction to the squad. He blasted a 17-ball 35 runs in his last T20I batting innings.

James Neesham is one of the T20 globetrotters of the modern game. His value is rooted in his experience and understanding of knowledge of how to perform in the middle phases of a T20 game. He has almost 1000 T20I runs and almost 50 T20I wickets. Kyle Jamieson is New Zealand's tallest cricketer. His height gives his right-arm fast-medium bowling a significant advantage. His best T20 bowling figures are six for seven.

Ish Sodhi is a seasoned leg-spinner of the T20 game. Sodhi's right-arm leg-break bowling has been instrumental in New Zealand's T20 success. The spinner has three four-wicket hauls in T20Is. Ben Sears complements the fast-bowling unit as another right-arm pace option on what may be conditions more suited to the seamers.

At 23, Will O'Rourke is a right-arm fast bowler whose inclusion reflects New Zealand's commitment to growing the next generation of Black Caps cricketers. Jacob Duffy will be one of the side’s key bowlers in the powerplay. He is able to generate impressive swing at pace early on. His form is also red-hot with eight T20I wickets in his last four games.

New Zealand Expected Playing 11

Pakistan

Young batter Mohammad Haris will be pivotal in setting brisk starts. Domestically, the youngster has over 650 runs in the PSL. Omair Yousuf is a top-order batter with technical proficiency. He will be looking to convert style into runs.

Usman Khan is both the wicketkeeper and a powerful batter. His flexibility up and down the order makes him an asset to the batting lineup. He hit 31 runs against New Zealand in the fifth T20I of April 2024.

All-rounder and captain Salman Agha provides composed batting in the middle and handy off-spin bowling. He is in superb form with the bat in white-ball cricket with three scores in the 40s and one century in his last five ODIs.

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan is also the vice-captain. He is a constant wicket-taker and dynamo in the field. The all-rounder has over 650 runs and over 100 wickets in his T20I career. Khushdil Shah will give the team momentum in the death overs when they require a handy cameo.

Jahandad Khan is a promising fast bowler to look out for. He will continue to make strides in the green of the national team. The left-arm pacer took two wickets against South Africa in his previous T20I.

The pace attack is spearheaded by left-armer Shaheen Afridi. His left-arm fast bowling with the added venom of early swing has left the world’s top batters in a mess. Afridi ended as player-of-the-series in the previous T20I series between the teams.

Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed has unconventional spin variations which will leave some of the top T20 batters confused. Abbas Afridi is one of the bright young fast bowling prospects in Pakistan. He will be looking to gain confidence from this tour and these bowling conditions.

The fast bowler has 14 wickets in his last nine T20I matches. Haris Rauf's express pace should trouble the hosts’ batting lineup.

Pakistan Expected Playing 11

NZ vs PAK Toss Prediction

With this match being played as a day game, both sets of players could prefer batting first and expecting conditions to get slightly worse in the second innings. Both last two T20I results between New Zealand and Pakistan have gone the way of the side batting first.

Pitch and Conditions

For T20Is, the pitch assists both batters and bowlers. It will be crucial for teams to assess conditions promptly. The seamers may have the slight edge with new ball, but it should become a run-scoring feast after the early period. The highest T20I total at Hagley Oval is 208 for five by New Zealand.

Weather conditions in Christchurch will feel warm and quite humid. The sunny conditions will be accompanied by no chance of rain on the day.

NZ vs PAK: Who Will Win?

New Zealand will be strong contenders to bounce back from the disappointment of coming so close to silverware in Dubai. They have a strong squad for home conditions. Pakistan should pose a challenge to their hosts. They may rely on the seam attack to pull through with some memorable performances.

Bet on New Zealand to win this match