Both teams have new captains without the governors – Mitchell Santner for NZ and Shadab Khan for Pakistan
Pakistan he won the toss against him New Zealand and chose bats
Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s captain in Babar Azam’s rape absence, won the toss and selected the first strike in the first T20I against New Zealand in bright sunny Auckland, and named XI very different to him. the one who did duty in the last game. against Zimbabwe at home in Rawalpindi last month.
Shadab himself, Mohammad Hafeez, Faheem Ashraf, Wahab Riaz and Shaheen Shah Afridi were all in line for this game, replacing Fakhar Zaman, Usman Qadir, Muhammad Musa, Mohammad Hasnain and Azam.
“Looking at a very good range, we want to score [on the board], “Shadab said at the toss.” We will miss Babar but it is a good opportunity for the rest to take a step. We are well prepared and now it is show time. “
This is the ninth time a team has chosen to bat in 23 T20Is at Eden Park. Irregularly though that may seem like it, it follows Pakistan’s strategy. They have an excellent bowling attack, which is great at limiting complaints and standing up when the pressure is at its highest. Nevertheless, Shadab and his men have to block history because six of the eight teams that tried his trick failed to win the game.
New Zealand are, of course, without Kane Williamson, who is back home with his partner Sarah Raheem, who delivered their first child earlier in the week. Mitchell Santner is their nominated director for this game, and they have a debate in Jacob Duffy.
“We’re very excited to make a bowl,” Santner said. “Another great opportunity to lead the side. Jacob Duffy makes the first round. Todd Astle and Doug Bracewell miss out. Every time you represent your country, and It’s a big deal, and he will rise to the challenge. Pakistan is a quality side, with speed and spinning and quality in the bat. We are ready for them. “
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (capt), Mark Chapman, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan (capt), Khushdil Shah, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf