New Zealand search for 2-0 as 'high-risk' Pakistan's seek for rewards continues

Massive image: Second probability for Pakistan

The main target will stay on Pakistan’s batting because the motion strikes from Christchurch to Dunedin within the five-match males’s T20I collection. Pakistan’s new captain Salman Agha had requested for “high-risk” cricket, but it surely didn’t come off within the first T20I on Sunday. Pakistan, actually, hit a brand new low in that recreation after being bowled out for 91, which New Zealand then comfortably chased down in 10.1 overs.

Within the absence of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, who’ve been dropped, and Saim Ayub, who continues to be recovering from an ankle harm, Pakistan handed Hasan Nawaz a debut and opened with Mohammad Haris, who was taking part in a T20I after virtually two years, with Salman slotting in at No. 3. Regardless of makes an attempt to go large from the get-go, seven of Pakistan’s batters fell for single-digit scores with Khushdil Shah top-scoring with 32 off 30 balls. How will Pakistan go within the second match after the failure within the first?

Although New Zealand are lacking key gamers on account of their IPL commitments, they landed early punches with the ball within the first match, because of Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy, who shared seven wickets between them by the top. Tim Seifert, Finn Allen and Tim Robinson then tore aside Pakistan’s assault.

As they construct their reserves, New Zealand may even look to proceed their domination. And Jimmy Neesham, who hasn’t performed for New Zealand since June 2024, might need to attend his flip.

Kind information

New Zealand WLWWW (final 5 accomplished T20Is, most up-to-date first)Pakistan LLLLW

Salman Agha made a 20-ball 18 from No. 3 within the first recreation•Getty Pictures

Within the highlight: Jacob Duffy and Salman Agha

Within the 5 T20Is he has performed between final November and this March, Jacob Duffy has picked up 12 wickets at a powerful economic system charge of 5.54. Within the opening recreation, he struck along with his second ball and ended with figures of 4 for 14 in 3.4 overs. The quick bowler will once more be very important to New Zealand’s bowling assault.

Salman Agha has performed a complete of seven T20Is after making his debut within the format final November. After 5 innings within the center order, he promoted himself to No. 3 within the first recreation and made a 20-ball 18. The pattern dimension is small and his strike charge in six innings in T20Is stands at 81.92. However having taken the management position in T20Is, Agha shall be eager to contribute extra and at a wholesome tempo.

Group information

New Zealand are unlikely to tinker with the profitable mixture and are more likely to go together with Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy and Zakary Foulkes within the tempo division and Ish Sodhi and captain Michael Bracewell as spinners.

New Zealand (possible): 1 Tim Seifert, 2 Finn Allen, 3 Tim Robinson, 4 Mark Chapman, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Mitchell Hay (wk), 7 Michael Bracewell (capt), 8 Zakary Foulkes, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Kyle Jamieson, 11 Jacob Duffy

Pakistan handed a debut to quick bowler Mohammed Ali and requested him to open the bowling with Shaheen Afridi. This meant Haris Rauf did not characteristic within the first recreation. Ali bowled three overs and conceded 25 runs. Since it is a five-match collection, Pakistan will wish to give a couple of extra alternatives to Ali earlier than bringing within the skilled Rauf.

Pakistan (possible): 1 Mohammad Haris (wk), 2 Hasan Nawaz, 3 Salman Agha (capt), 4 Irfan Khan, 5 Shadab Khan, 6 Khushdil Shah, 7 Abdul Samad, 8 Jahandad Khan, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Abrar Ahmed, 11 Mohammed Ali

Mohammad Haris' comeback innings was short-lived, New Zealand vs Pakistan, 1st T20I, Christchurch, March 16, 2025

Mohammad Haris’ comeback T20I innings was short-lived•AFP/Getty Pictures

Pitch and situations

The College Oval in Dunedin has hosted three males’s T20Is to date. The final was performed in January 2024, when Finn Allen’s 137 led New Zealand to 224, and so they beat Pakistan by 45 runs. It has typically been a batting-friendly floor with groups scoring 9.88 runs an over at this venue in T20Is. Three out of six occasions, the groups have posted 200-plus totals right here. The forecast on match day is for the occasional bathe amid cool climate.

Stats and trivia

Tim Seifert, who has performed all three T20Is Dunedin has hosted, has a mean of 56.50 on the venue.
Because the begin of 2020, New Zealand have received eight of the 12 T20Is towards Pakistan at residence.

Quotes

“[It’s] Positively my residence floor, lived right here since I used to be 18, so good to be residence, clearly spent numerous time away in Pakistan 4 or 5 weeks earlier than this collection too, so I’ve solely had a few nights since then, so it is good to get residence, get residence to the canine. Trying ahead to getting out to what I believe is the perfect floor within the nation.”New Zealand fast Jacob Duffy on taking part in in Dunedin.

Srinidhi Ramanujam is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo

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