It’s a face-off between the runners-up of the 2022 T20 World Cup, Pakistan, and the 2021 T20 World Cup, New Zealand!
Both of these cricket powerhouses, with New Zealand standing at third and Pakistan at fourth on the ICC rankings table, are gearing up for a crucial series. This contest presents an ideal opportunity for them to fine-tune their strategies and assess their squads ahead of the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup, scheduled in the United States and the Caribbean in less than six months.
The series not only offers a platform to analyze and optimize team compositions but also serves as valuable match practice for the players. As they step onto the field, both New Zealand and Pakistan aim to gather momentum and make impactful preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup showdown.
The series marks the inaugural challenge for Pakistan’s newly appointed T20 captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
At just 23 years old, Afridi steps into the leadership role, succeeding his close friend Babar Azam, who relinquished the captaincy across all formats following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the 50-over World Cup last year.
This leadership transition carries a sense of nostalgia for Pakistan, known for consistently producing talented pacers, as they are now led by a fast bowler after a hiatus of over two decades. The last fast bowler to captain Pakistan was the legendary Waqar Younis.
In contrast, New Zealand will be under the guidance of their seasoned leader, Kane Williamson.
With an impressive record of 87 T20 matches, Williamson will lead a team that combines both youthful energy and seasoned experience. Players like Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, and Devon Conway are integral parts of the squad.
The hosts aim to leverage the experience of their players and the familiarity of home conditions as they kick off their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
A little over six months following the conclusion of the ICC 50-over World Cup, where a record-extending sixth title was clinched, the schedule for cricket’s premier T20 tournament has been revealed. The 2024 T20 World Cup is scheduled to occur in the United States and the Caribbean this June, featuring 20 teams vying for the championship. The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan encounter is slated for June 9 in New York, with the final set to take place in Barbados on June 29.
Henceforth, each T20 international series will play a crucial role in the selection process, shaping the squads for the grand event in June.
Expect a flurry of boundaries at Eden Park, renowned for being one of the smaller cricket grounds globally. Pakistan’s captain, Afridi, acknowledged the potential challenges this may present to their bowlers but expressed confidence in finding strategies to manage the situation.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Afridi commented,
“The straight boundary is very small, posing a challenge, especially for me as I prefer bowling full. It’s a tough task. The square boundary is more extensive, so we’ll adapt our team strategy accordingly. However, for fast bowlers, it’s not a straightforward situation; we’ll analyze what previous fast bowlers have done and give our best effort.”
Head to Head
Both teams have encountered each other frequently, with a total of 34 T20 international meetings. Out of these, Pakistan has secured victory 20 times, while New Zealand has won on 13 occasions. Additionally, one match had to be abandoned due to adverse weather conditions.
New Zealand v Pakistan T20Is full schedule
- Friday, January 12: 1st T20I, New Zealand vs Pakistan, Eden Park, Auckland, 7:10pm
- Sunday, January 14: 2nd T20I, New Zealand vs Pakistan, Seddon Park, Hamilton, 7:10pm
- Wednesday, January 17: 3rd T20I, New Zealand vs Pakistan, University Oval, Dunedin, 1pm
- Friday, January 19: 4th T20I, New Zealand vs Pakistan, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, 7:10pm
- Sunday, January 21: 5th T20I, New Zealand vs Pakistan, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, 1pm
Live Streaming
In Pakistan,
The NZ vs PAK T20I series can be live streamed on the Tapmad app, and PTV Sports will also broadcast the series.
In New Zealand,
The five-match T20I series between New Zealand and Pakistan will be live telecast on the TVNZ network, accessible on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ +.
In India,
The NZ vs PAK T20I series will not be broadcast live, but viewers can access live streaming on the Amazon Prime app and website.
In the UK
The NZ-PAK T20I series will be broadcast live on the TNT Sports network.
