Check our Dream 11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing Team Picks for 1st T20I on April 18th
When the cricketing world is busy witnessing the Indian Premier League, it’s time for some rare Internationals when the window is fixed particularly for the lucrative T20 cricket in the World. Pakistan will be hosting New Zealand in the 5-matches T20Is starting from Thursday.
The first 3 T20Is are staged at Rawalpindi before the action shifts to Lahore for the final two games. Both Pakistan and New Zealand have made headlines with their team selection and will start preparing for the show-piece event in the USA and West Indies in June.
𝑇𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑎𝑝 𝑏ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑎𝑎 𝑗𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ 𝑑𝑒𝑘ℎ𝑛𝑎𝑦, Bank Alfalah presents Jazz Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I Series 2024 🤩🗓️ 18 April – 27 April🎟️ Get your tickets now: https://t.co/r1Y5gXqKt8#AaTenuMatchDikhawan | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/DEteYarlyS
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 15, 2024
Match Details:
Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st T20I
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Date & Time: April 18th at 8:00 PM IST and 7:30 PM Local Time
Live Streaming: FanCode
What is the Pitch Report for PAK vs NZ, 1st T20I?
The track here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is a paradise for the batters with no grass cover. It recently hosted 7 Pakistan Super League games where the average 1st innings score stands at close to 180. The scores have dipped to some extent as compared to the previous year. Bowlers will feel, they can provide breakthroughs at any moment. Runs on the board always help but teams will prefer to chase as the dew factor might come into play.
Recent form:
Pakistan: Won, Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost
New Zealand: Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost, Won
PAK vs NZ, 1st T20I Probable Winners:
Pakistan are expected to win this match.
What is the Expected, Probable Playing XIs for PAK vs NZ, 1st T20I?
Pakistan
Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim / Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir / Zaman Khan
New Zealand
Tim Seifert (wk), Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell (c), James Neesham, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister / Cole McConchie, Ben Sears, William O’Rourke
Gearing up for Gameday! 💪#PAKvNZ | #AaTenuMatchDikhawan pic.twitter.com/9iK5IXdLXa
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 17, 2024
Injury Updates:
Finn Allen and Adam Milne have been ruled out of the series due to injuries.
What are the Fantasy Cricket Top Picks, Players for PAK vs NZ, 1st T20I?
Top Pick – Batter
Babar Azam is the top drawer and a must-pick for your fantasy teams. He was the leading run-getter in the PSL 2024, amassing 569 runs in 11 matches at an average of 56.9.
Top Pick – All-Rounder
James Neesham is one of the experienced cricketers in the current second-string New Zealand unit. The rich experience of playing T20 leagues around the world makes him a versatile all-rounder. He had a good stint with Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League earlier this year, smashing 291 runs at an average of 72.75 and picking up 4 wickets across 7 matches.
🗣️ Pakistan captain Babar Azam previews the T20I series against New ZealandMore details: https://t.co/leYVRRFQ61#AaTenuMatchDikhawan pic.twitter.com/nE5IlOsggd
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 17, 2024
Top Pick – Bowler
Usama Mir had a resounding PSL 2024, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps in 12 matches with the best figures of 6 for 40.
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Mohammad Rizwan does his best every time he lands on the pitch. In 12 matches for Multan Sultans in the PSL 2024, he struck 407 runs at an average of 33.91 with the best score of 82.
X-Factor:
Mark Chapman is a power-hitter and can bat anywhere in the order. In his 70 T20Is, he made 1418 runs at an average of 28.36.
Game 1 at Pindi Cricket Stadium is nearly here! Watch play LIVE in NZ from 2-30am NZT Friday morning here | https://t.co/xV9Egj6yMr #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/tvOlowch65
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 18, 2024
What are the Fantasy Suggested teams for PAK vs NZ, 1st T20I?
1. Tim Seifert, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (c), Mark Chapman, Usman Khan, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir (vc), Shaheen Afridi
2. Tim Seifert, Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Cole McConchie, Tim Robinson, James Neesham (vc), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears, Usama Mir
Hear from BLACKCAPS captain Michael Bracewell ahead of the first match of the T20 Series against Pakistan at Pindi Cricket Stadium. Schedule | https://t.co/VQm7saZ1M0 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/EtLuH7VWaf
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 17, 2024
Pre-Match Analysis:
We are going to have a glimpse of a new version of Pakistan cricket that features some surprise inclusions and changes in the leadership roles as well. Selected players have undergone vigorous training activities in Kakul to regain their fitness levels which is highly important with the T20 World Cup fast approaching. The forthcoming T20I series against the Kiwis is a perfect platform to freeze their combination before finalizing the T20 World Cup squad. Babar Azam will take over the leadership responsibilities from Shaheen Afridi who led the side in New Zealand earlier this year which they lost 4-1 badly. The 17-member squad has been picked based on their performances in the PSL 2024. Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir have come out of their retirements and made themselves available for the series. Usman Khan is back to his country of origin before parting ways with UAE where he spent significant time playing domestic cricket.
The squad also sees the return of Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah. Test specialist Abrar Ahmed has found his name in the T20I squad for the first time after his inspirational performances in the PSL 2024. The 21-year-old Irfan Khan is the other uncapped player in the mix.
New Zealand will have a second-string team for the series with their key players fully committed to the IPL. Michael Bracewell is back in the side after a long injury layoff and will lead the side as well. Finn Allen and Adam Milne who was earlier with the squad have been ruled out due to injuries. Tom Blundell and Zak Foulkes will come in as replacements. Will Young, Tom Latham, and Tim Southee haven’t been considered for selection due to different reasons. There are quite a few fresh faces in the side the likes of Tim Robinson, William O’Rourke, and Dean Foxcroft. They have familiar names James Neesham, Ish Sodhi, Tim Seifert, and Mark Chapman in the mix.
Experienced domestic cricketers Cole McConchie and Jacob Duffy were able to find their names on the list as well. It’s a good opportunity for the players to showcase their talent to the world of cricket.
