Pakistan vs New Zealand, ICCWCT20 2021, Today Match Prediction 26 October 2021

pak vs nz Match Prediction & Analysis

Pakistan will be looking to continue their winning momentum when they take on New Zealand in the 19th match of the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

In their opening fixture, Pakistan managed to break their jinx against India and registered their first win of the competition. With this result, Pakistan are lying at the top of the table in Group 2 in Super 12 stage of the competition.

On the other hand, New Zealand will be looking to start the tournament on a positive note. It will be interesting to see whether Kane Williamson will be fit for this game. Tim Southee could lead the side in case Williamson does not fully recover from elbow niggle.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pakistan Preview

The Green Shirts registered a comprehensive 10-wicket win over New Zealand, courtesy excellent contributions from Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.

In the batting department, the onus will be on the openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam to get the side off to a flier.

In their opening game, the opening duo played exceedingly well and produced an unbeaten 152-run partnership to help Pakistan cruise to a comprehensive win over India.

Middle-order comprising of Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Ali and Asif Ali didn’t get a hit in the middle against India.  The expectations from the middle-order will be to deliver decent scores against New Zealand.

In the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf to deliver timely breakthroughs.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Mohammad Hafeez, Shaheen Afridi, Imad Wasim, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Shoaib Malik, Haris Rauf, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan

New Zealand Preview

The Black Caps will assess the pitch conditions at Sharjah and field their strongest Xi against in-form Pakistan side led by Babar Azam.

In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell to deliver the bulk of the runs.

In the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson to make crucial breakthroughs in the initial Powerplay overs.

Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle will three prominent spinners for New Zealand for this fixture.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Martin Guptill, Devon Conway (wk), Glenn Phillips, Kane Williamson (c), James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Todd Astle, Trent Boult

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, James Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, KS Williamson, Ish Sodhi, Martin Guptill, TG Southee

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for Tuesday is going to be perfect for batting with no assistance for the bowlers. The weather forecast is going to be clear skies in the evening with no sign of rain.

Venue Details

Sharjah Cricket Stadium will host the 18th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup between Pakistan and New Zealand.

In the five previous T20 World Cup meetings, New Zealand have come out on top on two occasions.

Toss: To Bat

Both the sides will be keen to win the toss, bat first and post a score in excess of 160 runs. Average first innings score at around 140 to 150 runs.