PAK vs NZ 1st T20 Match Prediction & Betting Tips
Pakistan and New Zealand are all set to lock horns at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore to kick-start their 5-game T20I series. While the home team is all set to be back at full strength after losing their previous series against Afghanistan, NZ will be hoping to get off to a good start, especially after knowing that they have arrived on Asian soil with a relatively inexperienced lineup. Ahead of this action-packed game, let us take a detailed look at the team news, pitch report, probable predicted XI, and much more.
Pakistan will be having the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi all back for this T20I series at home. Not only that, Pakistan have retained Saim Ayyub, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, and Zaman Khan from their previous series against Afghanistan in the UAE.
New Zealand has a majority of its star players contesting in the ongoing Indian Premier League and has entered this series with a young core. However, James Neesham, Adam Milne, and Tom Latham will all be expected to lead from the front against a star-studded Pakistan lineup.
Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st T20 Match Live Streaming
TV channels: Live telecast can be watched on the Sony Sports Network
Live Streaming: PAK vs NZ’s live-action can also be watched on the SonyLIV App.
PAK vs NZ Match Toss Prediction
Teams that have batted first have won 67% of the games at this venue as the 1st innings batting score is 174. This will encourage both captains to bat first.
PAK vs NZ, Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Report
The fast bowlers can be of great use with the new ball and will definitely get the help to take early wickets. On the other hand, top-order batsmen will be required to take their time to settle in.
The pitch at Gaddafi is overall a batting pitch with some help for the pacers. The average score is around 164 and the chasing team has higher chances of winning the match.
Lahore Weather Report
There are no chances of rain as the weather will be ideal for a perfect day of cricket. The temperature will be around 38 degrees as humidity will peak around 30%.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds, and match prediction for Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st T20 Match 2023
Pakistan Team News & Playing 11
PAK Team News
Given that pacers can prove to be the trump cards at this venue, Pakistan will be itching to use all of Haris Rauf, Ihsanullah, and Shaheen Afridi in their starting XI.
PAK Key Players
- Ihsanullah - This young fast bowler has been nothing less than a sensation for Pakistan. He has registered 28 wickets in only 15 professional T20 games.
- Mohammad Rizwan - Given that the opening batsman has the capability to counter-attack the bowling unit since ball one. Moreover, this wicketkeeper/batsman has scored 276 runs against the Kiwis, wherein his best score has been 104*.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi - In his previous 7 games, this left-arm pacer has clinched 11 wickets, bowling at an economy rate of under 6.2 runs per over.
- Iftikhar Ahmed - Iftikhar has been pretty impressive this year as we saw in the various T20 leagues that he has been part of. He is a fine hitter in the middle order in this format. He has scored 685 runs so far in the T20Is and has crossed 4000+ runs in the T20 format.
PAK Team Form
Pakistan is entering this T20I series after losing their previous one 2-1 against Afghanistan in UAE. However, their most recent game resulted in an inexperienced Pakistan side beating Afghanistan by 66 runs.
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Pakistan Predicted Playing 11
Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (Wk), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Ihsanullah
New Zealand Team News & Playing 11
NZ Team News
Henry Shipley’s ability to generate a disconcerting bounce at regular intervals has left even the best struggling. This is just why New Zealand will be hoping for this young right-arm pacer to lead their bowing unit with the new ball. Shipley will be paired alongside Adam Milne and Matt Henry in the starting XI.
NZ Key Players
- Henry Shipley - The 26-year-old has scalped 13 wickets in the tally of seven outings. Having the ability to bowl with variation and even swing the ball in both directions, Shipley can be the new bowling star if he is able to lead the Kiwi unit.
- Daryl Mitchell - In his last 10 games, Mitchell has scored 287 runs, batting at an average of 47, a strike rate of over 143.
- James Neesham - Having the ability to score boundaries at the death and even to take wickets in the latter overs, Neesham’s performance will be key in Lahore.
- Adam Milne - Milne can be a key bowler for the Kiwis on this track. He has picked 43 wickets in 38 T20I matches so far. Milne along with Shipley and Neesham can make a difference for the team on this pitch.
NZ Team Form
New Zealand is currently on a two-game winning streak wherein their last victory came against Sri Lanka by 4 wickets and 1 ball remaining.
New Zealand Predicted Playing 11
Chad Bowes, Will Young, Tom Latham (C) (Wk), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry
Pakistan vs New Zealand Head to Head
Pakistan has beaten New Zealand in the last two games continuously, and 4 out of the last 5. Their last win against the Kiwis came via 7 wickets and 5 balls remaining. That particular game saw Mohammad Rizwan score a match-winning 57 off 43 balls.
PAK vs NZ Head to Head Stats in T20
| |
Matches Played |
PAK Won |
NZ Won |
Tie |
No Result |
| Overall |
29 |
18 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
| Last 5 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Pakistan vs New Zealand Betting Odds
Given that Pakistan has their marquee players returning for this series at home, the bookmakers have edged in their favor and named them the favorites to emerge victorious. Pakistan has a win ratio of 54% as compared to New Zealand’s 46%.
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Who will win Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st T20 Match?
The venue in Lahore holds a clear advantage for the fast bowlers whereas the batsmen will be required to settle in the powerplay overs. Given that Pakistan has all of its veteran stars at its disposal, they do seem to be the favorites in these conditions.
🏆 Pakistan vs New Zealand Prediction
Pakistan definitely looks like a better side on paper, but New Zealand is coming in fine form after beating Sri Lanka 2-1 in their previous T20I series. On the other hand, the home team lost their previous series against Afghanistan 1-2. Now, when we talk about the first T20I between the concerned teams in Lahore, Pakistan does have the more experienced unit to perform in familiar conditions. Moreover, they have the likes of Rizwan, Babar, and Shaheen all back in action. This is just why we predict Pakistan to beat New Zealand to land the early upper hand in this series.
Apr 14, 2023
21:30 IST / 16:00 GMT
Gaddafi Stadium - Lahore, Pakistan
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