For the longest time, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were the pillars of Pakistan’s T20I batting lineup. However, with concerns about their strike rates and the need to maximize the powerplay, the team management has made a dramatic shift. As Pakistan heads into the first T20I against New Zealand, both Babar and Rizwan have been left out of the squad.
The decision reflects a significant transformation in Pakistan’s T20 philosophy. The inclusion of aggressive hitters Mohammad Haris, Omair Yousuf, and uncapped Hasan Nawaz at the top signals the team’s commitment to a fearless, high-risk batting strategy. Under new T20I captain Salman Agha, Pakistan is aiming to play an aggressive brand of cricket, a shift likely influenced by their recent performance in the Champions Trophy.
New Zealand’s Squad: A Strong Yet Evolving Unit
Despite missing several key players due to IPL commitments, New Zealand remains a formidable opponent. Their bowling attack, featuring Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, and Jacob Duffy, is more than capable of testing Pakistan’s inexperienced batting lineup.
While top batters like Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Glenn Phillips are absent, the return of Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Jimmy Neesham adds depth to the squad. With experienced players like Daryl Mitchell and captain Michael Bracewell leading the team, New Zealand will look to leverage their home advantage.
Players in the Spotlight
Finn Allen – Can He Regain His Explosiveness?
Finn Allen has struggled with consistency since his blistering 137 against Pakistan in January 2024. In his last nine T20I innings, he has failed to reach a half-century, managing only two scores above 25. His recent BBL stint with Perth Scorchers saw him score just 181 runs in ten innings. With the T20 World Cup approaching, Allen must find his form, and Pakistan might be the perfect opposition for him to regain confidence.
Mohammad Haris – The Anchor of Pakistan’s New Top Order
Among Pakistan’s revamped top three, Mohammad Haris is the most experienced player. With just three PSL games under his belt, Hasan Nawaz is untested, while Omair Yousuf has played only six T20Is. Haris, returning to international cricket after nearly a year, has the crucial task of leading Pakistan’s aggressive batting approach.
Predicted Playing XIs
New Zealand (Probable)
- Finn Allen
- Tim Robinson
- Mark Chapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- James Neesham
- Mitchell Hay (wk)
- Michael Bracewell (capt)
- Ben Sears
- Ish Sodhi
- Will O’Rourke
- Jacob Duffy
Pakistan (Probable)
- Mohammad Haris (wk)
- Omair Yousuf
- Hasan Nawaz
- Salman Agha (capt)
- Abdul Samad
- Irfan Khan
- Shadab Khan
- Shaheen Afridi
- Haris Rauf
- Abrar Ahmed
- Abbas Afridi
Pitch and Conditions at Hagley Oval
The match will take place at Hagley Oval, where the average scoring rate is around eight runs per over. The previous two T20Is between these teams at the venue were low-scoring affairs, with New Zealand first chasing 159 successfully and then bowling Pakistan out for 92 while defending 138.
Statistical Insights
- Shaheen Afridi’s Favorite Opponent: Shaheen has taken 33 wickets against New Zealand, significantly higher than his next-best tally of 13 against South Africa. His 13 wickets in New Zealand also rank among his highest outside Pakistan and the UAE.
- Finn Allen’s Dominance vs Pakistan: Allen has hit 31 sixes in just nine T20I innings against Pakistan, the most by any batter. He is also just 134 runs away from becoming the fourth New Zealand batter to score 500 runs against Pakistan in T20Is.
- Mark Chapman’s Impressive Record: Chapman is the only batter to score 500+ runs against Pakistan in T20Is at a strike rate of 150+, making him one of only ten batters to achieve such a feat against a single opponent.
Captains’ Take on the Series
New Zealand’s stand-in captain Michael Bracewell emphasized focusing on their own game rather than worrying about Pakistan’s new lineup.
“We’ve probably had a bit more of a focus on ourselves. With a few new young players coming into the Pakistan side, there is a bit of unknown. But I think as long as we know what we are trying to do, that’ll be good enough for anyone that comes up against us.”
On the other hand, Pakistan’s new captain Salman Agha stressed the importance of backing his young squad and playing an aggressive brand of cricket.
“This is a young team, and we want to play fearless cricket. That is high-risk cricket, which is a requirement in modern cricket. There will be failures with that approach, but we have to support our players.”
