Pakistan Win Toss, Decide to Bowl in 1st T20 against New Zealand

AUCKLAND: Pakistan has won the toss and elected to bowl first against New Zealand in the 1^st match of the T20I series at Eden Park today.

Pakistan have won the toss and opted to field in Auckland 🏏#NZvPAK 📝: https://t.co/RxUSURfmd0 pic.twitter.com/k5yR2ZPRi7

— ICC (@ICC) January 12, 2024

Today’s match marks Shaheen Afridi’s first assignment as skipper, having taken over the reins from Babar Azam. Saim and Rizwan will open the match with former captain Babar Azam featuring in the middle order. Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar, and Azam Khan will show up at the crease in the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th positions, respectively. Similarly, Aamir and Usama will bat on the 7^th and 8^th numbers. Fourth-ranked Pakistani side last played T20Is in April 2023 against New Zealand at home.

Pakistan Win Toss, Decide to Bowl in 1^st T20 against New Zealand

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who has been named Shaheen Afridi’s vice-captain, was Pakistan’s leading run-getter in the series. Haris Rauf was the most successful bowler during that series.

Playing XI

New Zealand: Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (c), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Matthew Henry, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ben Sears.

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Aamir Jamal, Usama Mir (Debut), Abbas Afridi (Debut), Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf.