New Zealand vs Pakistan, 1st T20I: New Zealand's Predicted XI – Pakistan Tour Of New Zealand 2020-21

After conclusion of the home series against West Indies, the hosts New Zealand are now ready to challenge the Asian side Pakistan. The three-match T20I series will begin on Friday (18th December) while Eden Park (Auckland) will host this opening game of this series.

Before this home T20I series against Pakistan, New Zealand won the three-match home T20I series (2-0) and two-match home Test series (2-0) against West Indies.

New Zealand vs Pakistan, 1st T20I: New Zealand’s Predicted XI

Martin Guptill

While the experienced Ross Taylor will miss the entire T20I series, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will be available for the second game of this series. So, the third-most T20I run-scorer Martin Guptill will have to play a vital role in this series opener. In recent times, the right-handed batsman has hugely struggled to maintain his consistency.

Tim Seifert (wk)

The New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman Tim Seifert failed to impress during the recently concluded home T20I series against West Indies as he scored 17 and 18 runs. However, then he showed good form in the first-class game against West Indies A as he scored 111, 60 and 13. As an opener, Seifert also has to play vital role but his inconsistency in T20 cricket is also a major issue.

Devon Conway

The 29-year-old Devon Conway, who has the T20 batting average of 40.82, made his international debut during the recently concluded home T20I series against West Indies. In that series, the top-order left-handed batsman scored 41 and 65*.

Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips is currently in very good form with the bat in every format. In his last T20I innings, which was against West Indies at Mount Maunganui, he scored his first T20I century and fourth T20 century (108 runs off 51 balls).

Mark Chapman

Though the former Hong Kong cricketer Mark Chapman hasn’t played a T20 match since last January, he is currently in very good form in the first-class cricket. Since this October, the left-handed batsman has played the knocks of 3, 54, 6, 95, 60, 45, 45 and 40 runs respectively.

Jimmy Neesham

During the opening game of the recently concluded home T20I series against West Indies, all-rounder Jimmy Neesham played the match-winning knock of 48 not out off 24 balls. More importantly, he brought out that performance, when his team was struggling to chase down the big target of 176 runs in just 16 overs.

Mitchell Santner (C)

While Mitchell Santner‘s first T20I as captain (against West Indies at Mount Maunganui on 30th November 2020; 3rd or final match of the T20I series) was washed out in rain (during the third over of that match), it will be his second T20I as captain. After this match, Kane Williamson will return to the leadership role. Apart from his effective left-arm spin bowling, Santner is also a useful lower-order batsman.

During the opening game of the recently concluded home T20I series against West Indies, where Jimmy Neesham played a great match-winning innings, Santner’s 31 not out off 18 balls also helped the hosts in that chasing.

Scott Kuggeleijn

The New Zealand right-arm pacer Scott Kuggeleijn has taken 8 wickets in 13 T20Is. The bowling all-rounder still has to prove himself to stay in the playing XI contest.

Doug Bracewell

The 30-year-old right-arm pacer Doug Bracewell hasn’t played an international match since January 2019. However, at recent time, Bracewell has impressed with his performances in the first-class cricket.

Ish Sodhi

The leg-spinner Ish Sodhi is one of the top-most wicket-takers for New Zealand in T20I cricket. He is very useful bowler in this format, who provides important breakthrough in the crucial time.

Jacob Duffy

The 26-year-old uncapped right-arm pacer Jacob Duffy has taken 79 wickets in 67 T20 matches (average 24.00), including 2 five-wicket hauls and 1 four-wicket haul. He is one of the consistent pacers in the domestic cricket.