NZ vs PAK 1st T20 Prediction & Betting Tips
Another mouth watering clash is served in our menu with New Zealand hosting Pakistan for the 1st of the three T-20 series on Friday. The match will be played on the Eden Park, Auckland and scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM local time.
New Zealand of late has emerged as one of the best teams going around in world cricket, especially in their own conditions. They annihilated West Indies in their previous assignment in T-20Is but now face a stern challenge against a strong Pakistan side. This is a very important series for both teams as the T-20 world cup is not far away.
To be fair, both teams are not at their full strength for the 1st T-20. For New Zealand, players like Kane Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee won’t be available for various reasons while Pakistan too will be without the services of Imam ul Haq and Babar Azam who’ve been ruled out for the T-20 series due to injuries. This could be a blessing in disguise as both Pakistan and New Zealand will get an opportunity to test their bench strength.
New Zealand’s batting will be led by destructive openers Martin Guptill and Tim Seifert, followed by Devon Conway, Glen Phillips, Mark Chapman and all rounders like Jimmy Neeshan and Doug Bracewell.
The batting definitely lacks experience but it’s a very exciting batting line up. Players like Devon Convey and Glenn Phillips performed exceptionally well against West Indies in their previous series. Mark Chapman and Doug Bracewell are only in for the 1st T-20 so they’d like to make the most of their opportunity.
As for the bowling department, Scott Kuggeleijn, Blair Tickner, Ish Sodhi plaenty, Jimmy Neesham and Dough Bracewell form a decent attack.
Pakistan on the other hand are jolted by the injuries to Babar Azam and Imam ul Haq, two of their best T-20 performers. With Fakhar Zaman dropped, Pakistan face tough dilemma for the opening slot.
Abdullah Shafique along with Mohammed Hafeez can be an option. Maybe Haider Ali as well. Other batsmen that Pakistan will be depending upon are Khushdil Shah and Mohammed Rizwan, both of them were terrific in the series against Zimbabwe.
Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim will be the two all rounders followed by the the pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Wahab Riaz. Also it will be interesting to see if Usman Qadir gets a game or not as he was sensational against Zimbabwe.
Overall, both teams are missing their key players but New Zealand have a very exciting batting line up that delivered brilliant performances against West Indies and are favourite for this match.
NZ vs PAK Live Streaming
The series telecast live on PTV Sports in Pakistan while ESPN+ will broadcast the series in the USA, and Supersport have the rights for in South Africa.
Live Streaming: The match will be streamed live Fancode app in India.
NZ vs PAK Toss Prediction
Auckland is a very difficult ground to defend thus toss will be very crucial.
Weather Report
The weather is expected to be clear with scattered clouds. It’s a also going to be a pleasing day with temperature hovering in the early 20’s.
Pitch conditions
The pitch an Auckland is brilliant wicket to bat on. It might have something for the bowlers with the new ball but generally will be a magnificent wicket to bat.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds and match prediction for New Zealand Vs Pakistan 1st T20
New Zealand Team News & Playing 11
NZ Team News
New Zealand are missing some key players for the 1st T-20. Kane Williamson is on a leave for the birth of his first child while Lockie Ferguson and Hemish Benett are out due to injuries. Droug Bracewell and Blair Tickner have been added to the squad for the 1st T-20. Also, Ross Taylor was dropped from the T-0 squad.
NZ Key Players
- Martin Guptill - Martin Guptill is the most experienced player in this New Zealand team. He’s one of most destructive batsmen in T-20s and with New Zealand missing their big guns, he’ll have a big role to play.
- Glen Phillips – Glen Phillip is pretty inexperienced but he showed terrific skills in the recent series against West Indies. He can be backed to continue his good run.
- Jimmy Neesham - Jimmy Neesham all round skills will be very handy for New Zealand against Pakistan.
NZ Team Form
New Zealand were outstanding in their recent series against West Indies. They won the T-20 series 2-0. Players like Devon Convey and Glen Phillips were the stars of that series.
New Zealand Predicted Playing 11
Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert(WK), Glenn Phillips, Devon Convey, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Dough Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Scott Kuggeleijn
Pakistan Team News & Playing 11
PAK Team News
Pakistan will be without the services of their two main T-20 players, Babar Azam, who’ve been ruled out due to a thumb fracture, and Imam up Haq, who too fave a broken left thumb. Fakhar Zaman was dropped from the team.
PAK Key Players
- Mohammed Hafeez - Mohammed Hafeez has been around for decades. His experience of playing in New Zeakand will be very useful for Pakistan. He’ll have to play a big role if Pakistan have to challenge New Zealand.
- Mohammed Rizwan - The wicketkeeper batsmen was brilliant in their last series against Zimbabwe. He can be backed to perform well in New Zealand.
- Shadab Khan - He’s a very handy cricketer. He can get runs with the bat and is a brilliant leg spinner. He’ll be very difficult to handle for New Zealand
PAK Team Form
Pakistan’s last series was against Zimbabwe which they won pretty comprehensively. Babar Azam was their leading run scorer who’s missing but players like Mohammed Rizwan and Khushdil also performed brilliantly.
Pakistan Predicted Playing 11
Abdullah Shafique, Haider Ali, Mohammed Hafeez, Khushdil Shah, Mohammed Rizwan(WK), Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan©, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Haris Rauf
New Zealand vs Pakistan Head to Head
Pakistan is a very good T-20 team and that reflects in their record against new Zealand
NZ vs PAK Head to Head Stats in T20
| Matches Played |
NZ Won |
PAK Won |
Tie |
No Result |
| 21 |
8 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
🏆 New Zealand vs Pakistan Prediction
Pakistan seem to be a little more expeienced unit but they are very unpredictable. In conditions that they’re not used to playing, they are very vulnerable. New Zealand on the other hand a exciting batting line up. The bowling also looks decent and are favourite for this match.
Dec 18, 2020
11:30 IST / 6:00 GMT
Eden Park - Auckland, New Zealand
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