Pakistan set to take on NZ in first T20I tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: The stage is set for an electrifying five-match T20I series as Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan take on New Zealand, beginning tomorrow (Sunday) at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.

With the first ball scheduled for 2:15pm local time, both the teams are poised to deliver high-octane cricket in their quest for dominance. The action-packed series will move to University Oval in Dunedin on March 18, followed by a thrilling encounter at Auckland’s iconic Eden Park on March 21. The final two clashes will unfold at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui (March 23) and Sky Stadium, Wellington (March 26), promising edge-of-the-seat entertainment.

Adding to the cricketing spectacle, a three-match ODI series will follow, running from 29 March to 5 April. Pakistan’s squad, featuring a mix of experience and emerging talent, arrived in Christchurch on Thursday, hitting the nets for their first training session on Friday afternoon.

The squad boasts three uncapped rising stars -- Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali -- who earned their maiden call-ups after turning heads with stellar performances in domestic competitions. In their 44 T20I encounters, Pakistan hold the upper hand with 23 wins, while New Zealand have triumphed 19 times. Their last T20I face-off in Pakistan ended in a 2-2 deadlock, with one match abandoned due to rain, setting the stage for a thrilling rematch.

With Pakistan eager to assert their dominance and New Zealand looking to capitalize on home advantage, cricket fans worldwide can expect a blockbuster series filled with drama, intensity, and unforgettable moments.

“The team’s preparations are going well, and we will try to produce better results in New Zealand. We have some young players in the side, and it is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent at the international level after performing well in domestic cricket,” Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said.

T20I squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan.

Player Support Personnel: Naveed Akram Cheema (team manager), Aqib Javed (interim head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Mohammad Masroor (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saiman (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Butt (analyst), Irtiza Komail (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media and digital manager) and Sergio Basil Mullins (masseur).

New Zealand tour schedule: March 16: first T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

18 Mar: second T20I, University Oval, Dunedin

21 Mar: third T20I, Eden Park, Auckland

23 Mar: fourth T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

26 Mar: fifth T20I, Sky Stadium, Wellington

29 Mar: first ODI, McLean Park, Napier

2 Apr: second ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton

5 Apr: third ODI, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.