PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: The five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand begins on Friday at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore. After playing Test matches in Pakistan last year, it is anticipated that New Zealand will play its first T20I series there. In order to prepare for the five-match T20I series, both teams will be eager to produce results. In the history of the 20-over format, both teams have played 29 matches. The Men in Green have won 18 of those matches, while the Kiwis have won 11 of those matches. Pakistan has won two of the three series it has played against New Zealand since 2017.

PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: Match details

Match: PAK vs NZ 1st T20I (New Zealand tour of Pakistan)

Date: Friday, April 14, 2023

Time: 7:30 PM

Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: Match Overview

Pakistan

For the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, the hosts have chosen their full-strength squad. Saim Ayyub, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim and Zaman Khan, who highlighted in the past series against Afghanistan in the UAE, have been held in the T20I crew for New Zealand series. The team’s batting lineup includes captain Babar, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, rookie opener Saim Ayyub, all-rounder Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Haris. They will be expected to score the majority of runs.

The star pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shan, and Haris Rauf, as well as the spin duo of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, will have to provide timely breakthroughs on the bowling front.

New Zealand 

The fact that New Zealand has brought an inexperienced team to the country makes them underdogs in this series. The senior players are presently partaking in the continuous Indian Head Association as it will be fascinating to perceive how youthful players charge in Pakistan. In this five-match T20I series, however, the management will be hoping to see how the young players perform with bat and ball.

The Black Caps will heavily rely on their captain Tom Latham, inexperienced batsmen Chad Bowes, and Mark Chapman, and all-rounders Daryl Mitchell and James Neesham to score the majority of runs in the batting department.

On the bowling front, it will be up to spinners Ish Sodhi and pacers Ben Lister, Matt Henry, and Adam Milne to make quick breakthroughs.

PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: Key tips

In the T20I series opener in Lahore, Pakistan and New Zealand square off. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam have proven to be valuable contributors for the team in the T20 format.

The previous T20I series Pakistan played against Afghanistan in the UAE ended in a loss.

The three-match T20I series that New Zealand hosted against Sri Lanka ended in a victory for New Zealand.

At Lahore, Pakistan should easily defeat New Zealand and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: Probable XI

Pakistan

Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayyub, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Faheem Ashraf/Imad Wasim.

New Zealand

Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister, Tom Latham (captain &wk), Chad Bowes, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Matt Henry.

PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: Pitch report

The first Twenty20 International of the series between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore. At the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan has lost its last two Twenty20 International matches.

PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: Weather report

The prepared wicket for the game is going to be a little two-paced in the first half, despite the perfect forecast and no sign of rain. Under the light, it is anticipated that batting will become easier.

PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: Toss prediction

In IPL 2023, every match hinges on whether or not the toss is won or lost. Most of the time, the team that wins the toss prefers to bat first. In the Indian Premier League, it is easier to defend the score, so the team that wins the toss will choose to bat first, according to the prediction.

PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: Pre-play prediction

Best batter: Babar Azam (PAK), Tom Latham (NZ)

Best bowler: Shaheen Afridi (PAK), Matt Henry (NZ)

Top all-rounder: Shadab Khan (PAK), Rachin Ravindra (NZ) 

Player of the match: Shaheen Afridi (PAK)

PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: Match Prediction

Pakistan, led by Babar, will be looking to rebound against New Zealand after losing the T20I series to Afghanistan. The home team will be eager to win their first game of the season. However, in order to compete with Pakistan in this series opener, New Zealand will need to play its best cricket. At Lahore, Pakistan should easily defeat New Zealand and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.