New Zealand National Cricket Team are touring Pakistan to play five Twenty20 Internationals under Michael Bracewell. Pacer Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim reversed their retirement decisions to join their squad, leading by Michael.
New Zealand cricketers are well known for their bold, aggressive style. Not afraid to play daring shots, they have proven time and again they can outshone any opposition on any given day.
History
The Black Caps have an impressive record in international cricket competition, winning five World Cups since 1975 and holding onto both Test win records and all-time ODI wins lists. Their squad boasts both Maori and Pakeha players such as Richard Hadlee and Martin Crowe whose talents make an impressionful statement about New Zealand cricket’s unique mix of talent.
New Zealand cricket has seen incredible success recently in white ball cricket thanks to players such as Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson, with players like Brendon McCullum leading their charge. Meanwhile, off the field the NZC has focused on developing grassroots cricket through events like Super Smash and Ford Trophy while building on existing talent through programs like the Super Smash and Ford Trophy. Their recent success has created widespread enthusiasm for domestic cricket among Kiwis – hopefully leading to initiatives that make the sport more representative of modern New Zealand culture.
NZC are set to tour Pakistan this April for an ODI and T20I series. Their initial match in Rawalpindi had to be postponed due to security concerns but was eventually held.
Matches
New Zealand is home to an avid population of cricket enthusiasts. Their national team ranks fifth across all formats of the game and are widely known for being resourceful and innovative as they consistently punch above their weight to overcome any hurdles placed before them.
Since 1990, New Zealand and Pakistan have faced off 116 times, with New Zealand winning 51 and Pakistan 23 matches respectively. Two matches were abandoned, and one ended up as a tie. These meetings have taken place at various venues such as Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
Pakistan won the first Test by an overwhelming margin, only to lose the second Test even more dramatically. The third and final test proved close-fought but eventually New Zealand triumphed by five wickets.
Afghanistan and New Zealand’s one-off Test at Greater Noida’s Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium was a total washout, with no play on any of its days. Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir made their T20I debuts while Agha Saadat Ali, Wallis Mathias (both PAK), Tim Robinson and Zak Foulkes (NZ) all made their Test debuts.
Venues
The Black Caps have arrived in Karachi for their two-Test series and captain Kane Williamson has handed over control to Tim Southee in red-ball cricket; but several key players from their squad may miss due to injury or involvement with Indian T20 League competition; wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell and uncapped allrounder Zak Foulkes will act as replacements.
Usman Wahla, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) international cricket director has described this series as a testament to the strong bonds and mutual respect between Pakistan and Australia. It will take place from April 18 to 27 in Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
Pakistan are currently ranked fourth in the ICC men’s T20I team rankings, with New Zealand sitting in fifth. Babar Azam will lead Pakistan while Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim return for T20Is against New Zealand – all three teams hoping to claim victory and improve their current standing in ICC rankings. New Zealand have visited Pakistan several times over 17 months: first for two Tests and three ODIs played from December/January 2023 and again earlier this year when 10 white-ball matches took place from April last year – each time for two tours that total 12 days of T20 action!
Schedules
New Zealand may be one of the smaller Test-playing nations, but they have earned their reputation for punching above their weight. They won the ICC KnockOut Trophy and reached four ODI World Cup finals and two T20 World Cup finals – and are widely known for being resourceful nations.
New Zealand came back from behind to defeat Pakistan by 21 runs at Karachi’s National Stadium and take an early 2-0 advantage in their series. Batsmen led by Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi rallied late, leading their side past Pakistani resistance for victory and setting off fireworks late.
At home, New Zealand’s Black Caps were dominant, winning across formats against West Indies, whitewashing Bangladesh in an ODI series and rising to the top of ICC test rankings table. They will then travel to Pakistan for an ODI tri-series featuring South Africa in preparation for ICC Champions Trophy tournament.
Live updates
New Zealand cricket team is one of the strongest worldwide, known for their incredible performances and player talents. Ranked fifth globally, New Zealand is known for having great players that have won multiple games over time and remain widely popular worldwide.
Pakistan Cricket Board hopes that hosting a five-match Twenty20 International series with New Zealand Black Caps late this month can serve as an opportunity to showcase Pakistan as a cricketing destination. Lahore and Rawalpindi will play host to these matches, with one day off planned on April 15.
The series squad for this series boasts both experienced and promising players, led by Babar Azam following his reinstatement as white-ball captain, while AJ McLaren and Tom Latham will also be available to play. PCB selector Wahab Riaz announced this squad, noting fast bowler Haris Rauf would miss due to leg injury; in his announcement he also confirmed Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim will return to national teams. If you want to know more about sports like: football, cricket, kabaddi, polo and many more just follow us: https://sportsbyte.co.uk/
