Match preview: Pakistan lock horns with New Zealand in first T20

KARACHI: After days of cricket-less isolation and limited opportunity to train, the Pakistani cricketers are finally set for some action starting Friday when the first of the three-match T20I series against New Zealand will kick off in Auckland.

Pakistan, who already have a 13-8 record against New Zealand in the T20Is, will go as favorites in the first match as the hosts will be without some of their top cricketers, including Kane Williamson, the regular captain who has opted out of the opener of the series due to the birth of his child.

Other notable members of the Kiwis who will miss the opening game on Friday are Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, and the injured Lockie Ferguson.

Read more: Shadab to lead green shirts against Kiwis in first Pak vs NZ T20I

The green shirts, on the other hand, will be without their regular captain and batsman Babar Azam, who was ruled out of the three-match series due to an injury during a training session in Queenstown.

Shadab Khan will be leading Pakistan, who will look to start the tour with a win against the inexperienced New Zealand side.

While Babar Azam's absence is a blow for the visitors, a blend of youngsters and the experienced ones is good enough to pose a strong challenge to the Black Caps.

Also read: Injury-hit Babar Azam backs Pakistan cricket team ahead of 'tough' New Zealand tour

The hosts might get some confidence due to the fact that start the series fresh from a 2-0 win against the West Indies.

However, Pakistan are less likely to feel troubled by New Zealand bowlers in the absence of Southee, Jamieson and Ferguson. Moreover, Sodhi may not pose a genuine threat to the green shirts.

New Zealand will be captained by Mitchell Santner and he will surely be under pressure due to Pakistan’s successful history against the kiwis. The experienced players' absence will add more burden on his shoulders.

Related: Pakistan mulls over possibility to promote junior players to T20 squad

Head to head

Pakistan have won the last five T20Is against New Zealand and enjoy a 2-1 record at Auckland, with the Black Caps winning last against Pakistan at this venue in 2010.

The biggest challenge Pakistan will face ahead of the game would be of replacing Babar Azam at the top of batting order.

There are discussions to promote Rizwan or Hafeez in the batting order and have them open the innings with the young Abdullah Shafiq. Another possibility is to send Haider Ali and Abdullah Shafiq instead.

Pakistan have already announced 15 players for the first game of the series and they are:

Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafiq, Haider Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Faheem Ashraf, Iftekhar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahene Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Hussain Talat, and Wahab Riaz.