New Zealand vs Pakistan

NZ vs PAK Betting Tips

The Pakistani T20I lineup has a few new faces to it. They will need to adapt quickly to the different type of surfaces in the land of the Black Caps. The New Zealanders have dominated their visitors in T20I cricket played at home. They have a strong fast-bowling unit, but the strength of the hosts’ batting lineup could be the difference.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Record

The previous T20I series between the teams played out to a draw. Overall, the teams have played five T20I series in New Zealand. New Zealand have won four of those to the single Pakistani victory.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live-streaming and Broadcast

The second T20I between New Zealand and Pakistan will be available for viewing in India on both the Sony Sports Network and the Sony LIV app. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, 18 March 2024 and will be taking place at University Oval in Dunedin.

NZ vs PAK Team Previews

New Zealand

Finn Allen and Tim Seifert will provide an aggressive start at the top. Both will take the fearless approach in the powerplay. Seifert top-scored with 44 runs in the first T20I and backed up by Allen with 29 runs not out. Tim Robinson adds firepower in the middle to keep the batting assault going.

Domestically, Robinson has a T20 high score of 139. Mark Chapman is a composed batter who knows how to ride the wave of a T20 innings and play each situation on its merit.

Daryl Mitchell brings stability and the ability to shift gears to the middle order. Behind the stumps, Mitchell Hay will be a livewire looking to keep the batters on their toes and keeping the extras count lower. He took three catches as the wicketkeeper in the previous T20I. His lower order batting contributions will also be handy.

Michael Bracewell, the captain, adds experience and balance with his off-spin and middle-order batting. His off-spin adds variety to a strong pace-bowling battery. The all-rounder has over 250 runs and almost 30 wickets in T20Is.

The pace attack has the towering Kyle Jamieson at the forefront. The giant fast bowler will be supported by the swing sensation in Jacob Duffy. The pair combined in the previous match to take figures of seven for 22 in just under eight overs.

Zakary Foulkes is another right-arm pacer looking to put his skillset to the test. Ish Sodhi’s leg-spin brings variety to the bowling unit and could be potent with his variations. Sodhi contributed with two wickets in Christchurch.

New Zealand Expected Playing 11

Pakistan

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris brings an aggressive approach at the top. If he stays in for a long period, he will do serious damage. He has a proven track record in T20 cricket with 2369 runs and 14 half-centuries. Hasan Nawaz adds a fresh approach to the batting lineup. Both batters will be looking to make a strong impression in international cricket after being newer faces to the environment.

Captain Salman Agha is a dependable middle-order batter and a handy off-spinner. The team will require his efforts as a leader and all-rounder. Where milestones in T20s are concerned, he has four half-centuries and one five-wicket haul.

Power-hitter Abdul Samad and emerging talent Irfan Khan bolster the middle order. They should be exciting to watch in the middle overs, particularly if they must go up against the leg-spin of Ish Sodhi. In a short space of time, Irfan Khan has accumulated over 150 T20I runs.

Khushdil Shah has been turning himself into a genuine all-rounder after becoming a bigger threat with the ball. He has the potential to be destructive with his power-striking in the late overs, but can be an option with ball in hand too. Shah hit a score of 32 runs in the previous match.

The all-round capabilities of Shadab Khan add depth as someone who can chip in with middle overs leg-spin wickets and blasting boundaries in the latter half of the innings. His impressive T20I record reads 682 runs and 107 wickets. Jahandad Khan has dipped his toes into international cricket. He will be looking to become a permanent fixture in the green of Pakistan. The lineup is lengthened by his all-round abilities.

Shaheen Afridi leads a formidable pace attack and will provide early pressure with his inswingers to the Kiwi opening batters. He has exactly 100 T20I wickets. Experienced domestic cricketer Mohammad Ali continues the pace assault.

Ali has three four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul in T20s. Abrar Ahmed provides the mystery factor with his deceptive leg-spin. He took the only wicket in the New Zealand innings at Christchurch.

Pakistan Expected Playing 11

NZ vs PAK Toss Prediction

This could be a ‘bat first’ type of wicket because of the conditions during the day. The previous T20I at this ground was also between New Zealand and Pakistan. That match was won by New Zealand who batted first.

Pitch and Conditions

The University Oval should give both sides a green pitch favouring pace bowlers to work with. It should become more conducive to batting as the match progresses. Historically, the pitch has faced criticism for inadequate drainage, leading to delays after rainfall. Recent improvements have enhanced its playability. The previous first innings T20I total at the venue was 224 for seven in 20 overs.

Rain may be a factor to consider on matchday with a 35 percent chance of rain, but most of it likely in the morning. The temperatures are expected to be cool, but humid and windy.

NZ vs PAK: Who Will Win?

The inexperience of playing in New Zealand may be to Pakistan's detriment. The Black Caps players know their territory well and even though they are without some important players, they have the depth to challenge any team. History will back up their success at home too. The home nation will be the favourites.

Bet on New Zealand to win this match