Pakistan look to turn the tide against New Zealand

Overview

New Zealand v Pakistan
Wellington
1st T20I, 03:00 GMT

Pakistan come into the series off the back of a brutal ODI whitewash against the same opposition, losing five matches in succession in comprehensive fashion. The T20I series represents a chance for the tourists to salvage some pride but they face an uphill battle against a rampant New Zealand side, who are currently ranked No.1 in the ICC T20I rankings.

Pakistan sit just behind them in second place but the Black Caps have been in impressive form of late, particularly on their home patch. Kane Williamson's side have now won their last 12 completed games across all formats.

Pakistan can take heart from the fact that they have won eight of their last 10 matches in this format but they need their out-of-sorts batting unit to start firing – no easy task in an unfamiliar conditions against a high-class attack. The absence of the rested left-arm quick Trent Boult will come as a relief, although he is set to return later in the series.

New Zealand's last outing in the shortest format came against West Indies in January, when they emerged as comfortable winners.

Dangermen

Colin Munro (NZ)

Having recently moved to the top of the ICC T20I batting rankings, there is arguably no more dangerous player in the short-form international game at the moment than big-hitting Munro. Incredibly, the left-hander has hit three centuries in his last nine innings in the format – no player in the history of T20I cricket has ever managed as many in their career. It was slimmer pickings in the ODI series against Pakistan, where he scored two fifties in five matches. Pakistan need to get Munro early or the game will quickly slip away from them.

Haris Sohail (Pak)

Brought into the team for the fourth and fifth matches of the ODI series, Sohail backed up his selection with a brace of fifties. He is yet to really fire with the bat so far in his four T20I matches for Pakistan, with a high score of 30 not out, but he undoubtedly has the talent to do so. He is also a very effective slow left-arm bowler who can offer his captain some useful overs if required.

Conditions ****

In the last T20I played on this ground, which happened to be between these two teams, New Zealand batted first and scored 196/5 – the highest-ever total at the venue. The average score is around 150. Rain showers are forecast and, as is usually the case in Wellington, the wind is likely to prove a factor.

Teams (possible)

**New Zealand:**Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Glenn Phillips (wk), Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ben Wheeler, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi

**Pakistan:**Ahmed Shehzad,****Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed (c + wk), Shadab Khan, Aamer Yamin, Mohmmad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir