New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I: New Zealand’s Predicted XI – Pakistan Tour Of New Zealand 2020-21

On Sunday (20th December), the hosts New Zealand will face Pakistan in the second match of the T20I series at Seddon Park (Hamilton).

At present, New Zealand are leading the three-match home T20I series by 1-0 with two to go. In the first game of this series, they won by five wickets after successfully chasing 154 runs target. Another victory in this series will secure New Zealand’s victory in this T20I series.

New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I: New Zealand’s Predicted XI

Martin Guptill

Opening batsman Martin Guptill, who is the most T20I run-scorer for New Zealand, requires to show his consistency as a batsman. In last five T20I innings, Guptill scored 4, 2, 5, 34 and 6 runs respectively.

Tim Seifert (wk)

After a struggling home T20I series against West Indies, the Blackcaps wicket-keeper and opening batsman Tim Seifert impressed in the first T20I against Pakistan in the ongoing series as he scored crucial 57 runs off 43 balls that massively helped the hosts to win that game.

Kane Williamson (C)

Captain Kane Williamson is returning to the New Zealand squad from this second game of the series. He scored 251 runs during his last innings, which was a Test innings against West Indies at Hamilton in early this month. Williamson played last T20 match in the IPL 2020, where he finished with two successive 50+ scores.

Devon Conway

New Zealand left-handed top-order batsman Devon Conway impressed during the previous T20I series against West Indies, where he scored 41 and 65*. However, in the T20I series opener against Pakistan, the 29-year-old scored 5 runs.

Glenn Phillips

In the Auckland T20I against Pakistan on last Friday, Glenn Phillips was dismissed after scoring 23 runs. Coming to bat at the crucial time in the 154 runs chasing, Phillips built up a crucial 44-run partnership with Tim Seifert for the third wicket. He recently became famous after hitting a T20I century (108) against West Indies at Mount Maunganui (29th November 2020).

Daryl Mitchell

All-rounder Daryl Mitchell appeared in the last game of the recently concluded home T20I series against West Indies, but the rain forced him to end the day in an ineffective mode. In his 12 T20Is, he has scored 103 runs (average 12.87; strike-rate 119.76) and also has picked up 5 wickets.

Jimmy Neesham

New Zealand All-rounder Jimmy Neesham, who didn’t bowl during the opening game of the ongoing T20I series against Pakistan, finished the game successfully with the bat as his 15 not out off 10 balls.

Scott Kuggeleijn

In the last T20I against Pakistan, the right-arm pacer Scott Kuggeleijn claimed his maiden 3-wicket haul in T20I career (3/27). He is currently in very good form in T20 cricket, who finished the CPL 2020 (finished in last September) as the leading wicket-taker (17 wickets).

Tim Southee

New Zealand vice-captain Tim Southee is also returning to the T20I cricket. He was in brilliant form with the ball in hand in the recently concluded home Test series against West Indies as he finished as the most wicket-taker (12 wickets).

Trent Boult

Last time, Trent Boult played a T20I match on 10th November 2019 during the Auckland T20I against England. However, the left-arm pacer was in great form with the ball in hand during the entire IPL 2020. Serving for the IPL 2020 winners Mumbai Indians (MI), Boult managed to pick up 25 wickets in 15 matches and finished as the 3rd most wicket-taker in that tournament.

Ish Sodhi

The Blackcaps leg-spinner Ish Sodhi managed to take one wicket (1/37) during the T20I series opener against Pakistan. In the absence of Mitchell Santner, Sodhi will have to take more responsibility for the New Zealand T20I side.