PAK vs NZ: Pakistan's Predicted Playing XI Against New Zealand- ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Semi-Final 1

Pakistan take on New Zealand in the first semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Sydney on November 9. The match starts at 1.30 pm IST which is around 7 pm local time. There is a lot of anticipation of Pakistan beating New Zealand in the match to set up a final date with India.

Pakistan and New Zealand have played 28 T20Is against each other with The Men in Green winning 18 games while the Kiwis 11. In T20 World Cups, Pakistan won four out of the six games they played against each other. Meanwhile, Pakistan and New Zealand will face each other for the first time at Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia in a T20I game.

Pakistan won three out of the five they played in the Super 12 stage. They lost to India and Zimbabwe. Their middle order stepped up in the matches against South Africa, Netherlands, and Bangladesh to take them over the line.

South Africa losing to the Netherlands meant that Pakistan had to beat Bangladesh in the virtual semi-final which they did with ease. The side should ideally back the same XI to play against New Zealand in the first semi-final and take them to the final.

PAK vs NZ: Pakistan’s Predicted Playing XI Against New Zealand- ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Semi-Final 1

Babar Azam (C)

Babar has been struggling with his form in this tournament so far. He has only scored 39 runs in five games at an average of 7.80. 25 of those runs came in the match against Bangladesh. He will be eyeing up a big score against the Kiwis.

Also Read: PAK vs NZ Weather Forecast And Pitch Report Of Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney – ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Semi-Final 1

Mohammad Rizwan (WK)

Pakistan’s star batter Mohammad Rizwan has struggled so far in this World Cup as well scoring 103 runs at an average of 20.60. He scored 32 in the match against Bangladesh. So far in 2022, he has scored 924 runs at an average of 46.20.

Shan Masood

Masood has been consistent at number three for Pakistan scoring 132 runs in 5 games with 1 half-century. He scored an unbeaten 24 off 14 balls to help his side beat Bangladesh.

Iftikhar Ahmed

Iftikhar can slot in at number four in this game. So far in this World Cup, he has scored 114 runs at an average of 28.50 and a strike rate of 131 including two half-centuries. Though he missed with the bat, he took 1 for 15 against Bangladesh.

Mohammad Haris

Haris came in as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman and has made an immediate impact. He scored 31 off 18 balls to give the much-needed impetus in the game against Bangladesh. He scored those runs at a strike rate of 172.22.

Mohammad Nawaz

Nawaz slots in at number six. He has been a useful all-rounder for Pakistan. He has scored 63 runs in four innings with a best of 28 against South Africa. He has also picked up two wickets in 3 games at an economy of 7.85.

Shadab Khan

Shadab is the premier spinner in the side and brings in his batting skills as well. He has picked up 10 wickets so far at an average of 11.20. With the bat, he has scored 78 runs in 5 games so far at an average of 26.0 and a strike-rate touching 180. He scored 52 off just 22 balls against Bangladesh.

Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi has picked up 8 wickets from five matches at an average of 14.75 in the World cup so far. He boasts of an economy of 6.21 and picked up his first four-for in T20Is in the match against Bangladesh.

Haris Rauf

Haris has picked up 6 wickets in 5 games so far at an average of 20.50. He has bowled at an economy of 6.83 so far in this World Cup. He picked up 1 for 44 against Bangladesh. Rauf has the most experience playing in Australian conditions due to his BBL stint with Melbourne Stars.

Naseem Shah

The right-arm pacer has picked 3 wickets in 5 games at an average of 34.0 so far in the tournament with an economy of nearly 6. He picked up 1 for 19 against Bangladesh. Naseem is the third seamer in this potent Pakistan bowling attack.

Mohammad Wasim

Wasim concludes the likely playing XI for the first semi-final against New Zealand. He has picked up seven wickets so far in this World Cup bowling at an economy of 6.45 and an average of 10.14 Against Bangladesh, he picked up 1 for 13 in two overs.

Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2022: “I Think India Will Play New Zealand In The Finals And India Will Win The World Cup”- AB de Villiers