New Zealand vs Pakistan, PAK in NZ, 5 T20Is, 2024 Full score card

OUT! WHAT A CATCH! Tim Southee takes two in the over to wrap up the proceedings! Southee digs it in short, outside off, pace off again, Haris Rauf waits for the ball to arrive and tries to flat bat this one but gets it off the bottom half of the bat. Skies it high in the air towards cover-point. Mark Chapman keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through and settles under the skier. The ball swirls away a bit at the last moment but Chapman reacts well to dive to his right and takes it. New Zealand win by 46 runs and go 1-0 up in the series!

Swing and a miss! Slower and on a good length, outside of, Haris Rauf swings blindly as he looks to hack it across the line but fails to connect.

Haris Rauf is the last man in for Pakistan.

OUT! TAKEN! There it is, the 150th T20I wicket for Tim Southee! Another one bites the dust for Pakistan and New Zealand are closing in on a comfortable victory! Slower and shorter, outside off, Abbas Afridi backs away and tries to slap this one on the off side. No pace on the ball means that he has to generate power to clear the fence. He fails to do so and hits it only as far as deep cover. Matt Henry stationed in the deep, runs in and dives forward to complete the catch. Tim Southee gets his third wicket and New Zealand are just a wicket away from taking the lead in the series!

Short of a length, on middle and leg, Aamer Jamal flat bats it down to long on for a run.

Bangs it in short, on off, Abbas Afridi goes for the pull but gets a top edge that flies down to third man where Ben Sears does well to keep the ball in play and keeps it to just a single.

Slower and on a length, pushed away to cover for a single by Aamer Jamal.

Abbas Afridi walks out to bat now.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! It's that Sears-Williamson combination again! Hurls it at pace on a back of a length, on middle, Usama Mir stays rooted in his crease as he looks to pull it in front of square on the leg side. Gets undone by a bit of extra bounce and pace as well. The ball hits him high on the bat and lobs tamely towards extra cover where Kane Williamson dives forward to complete an easy catch.

Leg bye! Sliding on the pads, off pace and on a length, Aamer Jamal misses the clip as the ball rolls off his pads towards square leg for a leg bye.

Nails the yorker, tailing in, on middle, Aamer Jamal digs it out in front of long on and comes back charging back for the second run.

On a length, angling into the right-hander, clipped away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Usama Mir walks out to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! The slower ball does the trick for Ben Sears! Rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it on a fuller length, outside off, Babar Azam looks to get underneath the ball to launch the big shot but fails to do so. The bat twists in his hand and he ends up slicing it towards extra cover. Kane Williamson stationed there, reverse cups it in front of his face to send Babar back into the hut.

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! This is bowled at 144.3 clicks, on a length, outside off, Babar Azam stays back in his crease and looks to swipe it across the line. Gets an outside edge that flies down to the third man fence for a boundary.

FOUR! That's dropped by Matt Henry.  Adam Milne drops his length short and outside off with no pace, Aamer Jamal rocks back and cuts it in the air to deep point. Matt Henry charges in from the ropes but the ball dips on him and falls short. To add to the misery, the ball rolls over to the fence.

SIX! That's timed exceptionally well. Adam Milne serves this one just shorter around middle and off, Aamer Jamal waits for it and pulls it comfortably over square leg for half a dozen.

What a delivery at the new batter! Adam Milne bowls this one on a hard length, getting it to straighten a touch. Aamer Jamal gets beaten on the extra bounce and pace as the ball zips over the stumps to the keeper.

Aamer Jamal is the next man in.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Two in the over for Adam Milne and Pakistan slip further! Adam Milne continues from over the wicket and rolls his fingers over the ball. Digs it in short, outside off, Shaheen Afridi looks to use his long levers as he swings and tries to drag the pull on the leg side. Due to the lack of pace, Shaheen gets an outside edge and it is pouched safely behind the wicket by Devon Conway. Shaheen Afridi walks back for a duck!

Steams from over the wicket and pitches it back of a length, angling away outside off, Shaheen Afridi goes for a big swing but is beaten on all ends. The ball flies away off the deck to the keeper.

Shaheen Afridi, the skipper walks out to bat next.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Adam Milne gets into the act now and this is a fine catch from Kane Williamson! Adam Milne goes into the wicket but takes all the pace off, over middle, Azam Khan gets his front leg out of the way to go up and over on the off side. He gets cramped for room and gets this one off the splice of the bat. The ball lobs towards wide mid off where Kane Williamson runs to his left and dives to take a good catch. The ball sticks in his grasp even the elbow hits the ground.

FOUR! Cut away in the gap and that will be FIFTY for Babar Azam! This is bowled short and outside off, Babar Azam latches onto the width and cracks the cut to the left of deep point for a boundary to bring up his half century.

SIX! Gets enough on it does Babar Azam! In the slot angling into the right-hander, Babar Azam does not miss out as he swings across the line and swats it in the air but clears the wide long on fence for a maximum.

Oh...just short! Takes pace off and goes short, at the batter, Azam Khan pulls it flat towards deep backward square leg. Matt Henry runs in from the deep and puts in a dive but the ball drops in front, allowing Azam to take a single.

Digs it in short at 144.3 clicks, around off, Azam Khan makes room to pull it away but the ball comes at a steep height and sails over his bat.

Bends his back and bangs it in short, over middle, Babar Azam gets this one at a good height and hammers the pull but straight to Glenn Phillips at deep mid-wicket for one.

Sees the batter back away and follows him with a slower delivery at 121 clicks, on a length, Azam Khan swings a bit early as he swipes across the line to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX!  Adam Milne drops the length short again, drifting down the leg side this time, Babar Azam stands tall and flicks it perfectly over short fine leg for a biggie.

Another top effort in the field. This time by Daryl Mitchell. Adam Milne drops his length short over middle and off, and Azam Khan bangs it straight past the bowler with an angled bat. Daryl Mitchell runs a mile across to his left from long on and puts in a dive to keep the ball inside. A couple of replays played to check if there was any part of the foot touching the rope. Nothing on the replays and that's just a single.

Back of a length with no pace and around off, Babar Azam hits it with a flat bat to long on for a single.

That's top effort by Ben Sears to stop the boundary. Adam Milne digs it short ad over middle, Azam Khan rocks back and cuts it well over the keeper. Ben Sears scampers across and puts in a dive to his left to keep the ball inside the rope. Saved three runs here.

Short of a length this time, around off, Babar Azam wacks it along the ground to long on for a single.

Hurls from over the wicket and pitches it on a good length outside off, Azam Khan goes for a swing on the leg side but doesn't connect too well. The ball goes to mid-wicket and they get a single.

Another off-pace delivery from Tim Southee, angling in, on a length, around leg, Azam Khan fails to help it away fine as the ball rolls off the inner half of the bat towards backward square leg for one. End of a successful over from Tim Southee!

FOUR! Azam Khan is up and running! At pace this time, on a hard length, on middle and leg, Azam Khan lifts his front leg and swats it nicely to the left of short fine leg for his first boundary.

Azam Khan walks out to bat next.

OUT! TAKEN! Tim Southee comes back into the attack and strikes for New Zealand! Cleverly takes pace off and bowls it into the wicket, on middle, Iftikhar Ahmed stays deep in his crease and looks to pull it away behind square on the leg side. The ball gets a bit big on him and he fails to get any power behind the shot due to the lack of pace. Gets it off the upper half of the bat and loops towards short fine leg. Ish Sodhi runs to his left and completes the catch. Pakistan lose Iftikhar Ahmed as they get pegged back in the chase!

Bangs in a quick and sharp bumper at the batter, Iftikhar Ahmed ducks underneath it quickly and lets the ball pass.

Bowls it slower again, on a length, Babar Azam stands tall and hits it on the up towards long off for a single.

Comes back into the attack and bowls it on a back of a length, at 115.2 clicks, outside off, Babar Azam hangs back and pulls it between deep mid-wicket and long on for a couple of runs.

SIX! Put away and how. Matt Henry bowls this one quicker and on a length, angling into the body, Iftikhar Ahmed swives across and flicks it over deep square leg for a maximum.

Rolls fingers over the ball and bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Babar Azam waits on it and runs it down to third man for a single.

In the air...but it lands safely! Matt Henry bowls this one back of a length at 120.4 clicks around off, Iftikhar Ahmed tries to slam it on the leg side but gets hit on the top part of the bat. The ball goes in the air but falls safe in no man's land at square leg region.

Beaten again. Three dots on a trot. Pitches it on a hard length, outside off with a slight roll of fingers, Iftikhar Ahmed tries to play it straight but gets beaten on the outside edge again.

Beamer. Dug in short into the pitch over middle and leg. Iftikhar Ahmed tries to pull it from the crease but misses as the ball flies through to the keeper.

Oh wow, that's beaten. Matt Henry comes from over the wicket and bowls on a good length outside off, the ball sticks a bit in the surface and beats Iftikhar Ahmed on the outside edge.

Sliding onto the pads, fuller in length, Babar Azam misses the clip as he plays all around it and gets hit on the front pad. Good finish to the over from Ish Sodhi!

Good stop! Shorter and quicker, closer to the off-stump, Babar Azam chops it well from the crease but can't get it past the diving Matt Henry at short third man.

Gives the ball air and bowls it on middle, Iftikhar Ahmed gets down on one knee and heaves it off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Floats it up this time but the line is still the same, wide outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed is happy to leave the ball alone.

WIDE! Loses his radar again does Ish Sodhi as he bowls it short and well outside off, left alone by Iftikhar Ahmed for a wide.

FOUR! Clever batting! Pushes it through, shorter and quicker, outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed waits on it and opens the bat face at the last moment to get it between short third man and backward point for a boundary.

WIDE! Tries to keep it away from the batter but slips it beyond the tramline on off, Iftikhar Ahmed lets it go for a wide.

Drops it short now and on middle, Babar Azam rocks back and muscles the pull towards deep mid-wicket. Glenn Phillips in the deep, tumbles to his left and keeps it to just a single.

Tosses it up, full and outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed reaches out and knocks it down to long off for a single.

Drinks break! With Pakistan needing 118 runs from 60 balls, the game is nicely poised at the halfway mark. With not much batting left in the shed for the visitors, a lot will rest on the shoulders of these two batters. As far as New Zealand are concerned, they have done well to pick up wickets and must continue to do so to pile the pressure on Pakistan.

A tad fuller at 143.8 clicks outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed makes use of the pace on offer and cuts it to deep backward point on the back foot for one.

Back of a length and into the stumps with no pace, Babar Azam gets across the line and tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Shorter of a length, outside off again, Iftikhar Ahmed rocks back and helps the ball towards third man for another single.

Pace off this time, on a good length outside off, Babar Azam waits on and opens the face of the bat guiding the ball to third man for a single.

FOUR! Hit hard and in the gap. Overpitched delivery outside off, Babar Azam stands tall and creams the drive through extra covers for a boundary.

A direct hit by Mark Chapman could've been close. Ben Sears comes from over the wicket and bowls it on a good length, just outside off. Babar Azam shifts his weight back and nudges the ball with soft hands to point and takes off for the single. Mark Chapman rushes to the ball and has a shy at the stumps at the striker's end but misses.

Dropped shorter and angling down the leg side, Iftikhar Ahmed gets inside the line and pulls it away behind square leg for just a single.

Floated up very full on middle and leg, Babar Azam doesn't quite get under it and heaves it away to wide long on for a single.

Floated up on a length and turning away from outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed waits and hits it away to deep cover for a run.

WIDE! Way too short and down the leg side, Iftikhar Ahmed should have put it away but missed up and it will be a wide.

Bowled quicker and shorter outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed rocks back to cut but misses.

SIX! Aggression from Iftikhar Ahmed right away! The top spinner from Ish Sodhi, fuller and at the stumps, Ahmed just gets under it and launches it right back over the bowler's head for a huge maximum.

Iftikhar Ahmed comes out to bat in his 50th T20I.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Oh, what a take from Ish Sodhi! Sodhi tosses this one up and ends up serving a low, dipping full toss on off stump. Fakhar Zaman looks to come forward but then holds back a bit and gets himself in a predicament. Zaman ends up just pushing at the full toss and the ball goes down to the left of the bowler. Sodhi dives in and plucks it out of the air just inches off the ground with his left hand.

Bowls this one on a good length, outside off at 121.2 clicks, Fakhar Zaman nudges it to point and gets a single.

SIX! That's gone miles and hit the roof. Ben Sears serves this one a fraction fuller into the off stump line, Fakhar Zaman covers the line and heaves it over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

Pitches this a bit fuller into the stumps, Babar Azam bangs it with a straight bat to long on for another single.

Pitched on a length, around middle and leg, Fakhar Zaman flicks it off his pads towards deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! That's a smart shot. Ben Sears pitches this one short with a roll of the fingers outside off, Fakhar Zaman shuffles across the line and scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Starts from over the wicket and hurls on a good length, around off at 140.2 clicks, Fakhar Zaman knocks it back to the bowler with an angled bat.

Change from both ends as Ben Sears comes on to operate from the other end.

Tossed up full and outside off, Babar Azam leans on and strokes it away in front of deep cover for a couple of runs more.

FOUR! Just over! Nicely floated up, on a length and outside off, Babar Azam reaches out and goes chasing after it. The ball gets sliced over backward point where Matt Henry leaps up and sticks out a right hand over to his right but the ball goes over and rolls into the fence. With that, Babar Azam brings up 3,500 T20I runs.

Misses out there Fakhar Zaman. A real drag down from Ish Sodhi on leg stump, Zaman goes back in his crease and pulls it without much timing to deep square leg for only a single.

Still pretty short but the line is on off and middle, Babar Azam plays it off the back foot down to long on and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Dropped short again and the line is down the leg side, Babar Azam gets down on one knee and sweeps it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Bowls it on a shorter length at just 84.3 clicks and around leg stump, the ball slides on and Fakhar Zaman hangs back before working it behind square leg for a single.

Time for some spin as Ish Sodhi comes on to bowl.

Finishes the over well. Pitches it on a hard length, around the corridor of off, Babar Azam stays back in the crease and knocks it to mid on for no run.

A fraction shorter on a length, angling away with no pace around off, Fakhar Zaman advances down the track and taps it to point for a single.

Great ball to the new batter. Pitches this on a length, just outside off with no pace. Fakhar Zaman gets deceived by the pace off and is beaten on the outside edge.

The explosive Fakhar Zaman makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! TAKEN! The off-paced delivery works well for Tim Southee here. Southee runs in and digs in a short ball over the stumps but takes pace off the ball. Mohammad Rizwan comes down the pitch to slog it away leg side but is way too early in the shot. The ball holds a bit and then goes straight up off the top edge of the bat. The ball comes down near the leg gully region where the keeper, Devon Conway settles under it and takes a simple catch. Rizwan departs after a promising start.

A fraction short this time, around middle, Babar Azam stands tall and slashes it to deep square leg for a single.

Comes from over the wicket and pitches it on a good length, just outside off with no pace whatsoever. Babar Azam tries to poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Change of ends for Tim Southee (1-0-12-0).

FOUR! Slower one but the line is all wrong. Dug in a bit short but around the hips, Mohammad Rizwan stays put and just helps it on its way wide of the man at short fine leg and picks up a boundary.

Takes pace off and bowls it shorter at the body, Babar Azam tucks it away in front of square on the leg side and gets a single.

FOUR! Pakistan are off to a real flier here. Short of a length and outside off, Babar Azam waits on the back foot and deliberately slaps it in the air and gets it well over the fielder at point for a boundary.

Hit hard but straight to the fielder. Fuller in length and well outside off, Babar Azam latches onto the width and slaps it straight to the man at point.

Slower one, bowled fuller and it is the leg cutter, Rizwan pushes it out on the off side for a single.

SIX! That has flown over the keeper's head for a maximum. Hits the deck hard around off and gets the ball to skid on. Mohammad Rizwan looks to have a swipe across the line but gets hurried on. The ball takes the top edge an flies over the ropes.

WIDE! The attempted slower one, full and spilled down the leg side for a wide.

Nice and full at the stumps, pace on this time, Mohammad Rizwan jams it down to mid on and picks up a single.

Nice change of pace from Matt Henry as he bowls it pace-off and on a nagging length around off. Mohammad Rizwan is drawn forward but ends up playing all around the ball.

Pitches it full and at the stumps, angling back in, Babar Azam whips it uppishly and off the inner half of the bat in front of deep square leg for a run.

Hard length outside off, tapped away in front of cover-point.

Banged in well short and outside off, Babar Azam looks to take on the pull but the ball comes off the top edge and flies in front of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Full and straight, driven firmly but right back at the bowler who gets a good hand on it.

In the air...just falls safely! Hits the deck hard and bowls it over off stump, Babar Azam looks to force the lofted shot but the length isn't full enough. The ball gets sliced away wide of mid off where Kane Williamson scampers but can't get to the ball. A single is taken.

Back of a length outside off, Babar Azam stays back and dabs it down to the right of short third man but can't get it past the man.

Slightly shorter and outside off, coming on quickly, Rizwan slaps away the cut shot down to third man and picks up a single.

SIX! Wow, that is a shot and a half! Hard length over middle stump, Mohammad Rizwan keeps a low center of gravity and uses his wrists to whip this one right off the middle of the bat. The ball just sails well into the stands over the square leg fence for a biggie.

Babar Azam walks in at number 3 for Pakistan.

OUT! RUN OUT! An absolute howler for Saim Ayub and Pakistan but brilliant work from Adam Milne. Milne steams in and serves it in the blockhole outside off. Mohammad Rizwan looks to drive but gets an inside edge back onto the pads and the ball rolls onto the deck. Ayub is itching to get to the other end and is already halfway down the track. Milne picks up the ball, turns and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The replays show that even the dive couldn't save Ayub and he will be utterly disappointed.

Is that out? Adam Milne with a direct hit and New Zealand think they have got their man. And yes, the replays confirm that Ayub is short of his crease despite the dive.

FOUR! A classical off drive from Mohammad Rizwan and that was pleasing to the eye. Starts off with a quick and full delivery around off, Rizwan just leans on and presents the full face of the bat before driving it sweetly to the right of mid off for a boundary.

Adam Milne is brought into the attack.

FOUR! Ends with another boundary and 17 runs come off that over. Matt Henry changes the angle of attack by coming from around the stumps and serves it in the slot around off. Saim Ayub crouches a bit to get under it and thumps it over mid off for four runs.

SIX! BANG! This is dug in short at the body with good pace behind it, Saim Ayub gets inside the line and hooks it using quick hands well over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

Unlucky as that was timed really well. Full and outside off again, Saim Ayub lathers the cover drive but hits it straight to the fielder.

SIX! High, high and travels the distance! Matt Henry pitches this one up outside the line of off stump, Saim Ayub reaches out and gets underneath it before lofting it over the wide long off fence for a maximum.

Hard length around off, angling back in, Mohammad Rizwan gets across the line a bit and tucks it away around the corner for a single.

DROPPED AGAIN! This was more of a reaction catch and sometimes those stick and sometimes they don't. Matt Henry begins with a full ball, pitched up on the off stump, Mohammad Rizwan leans on and ends up chipping it to the left of the bowler. Henry sticks out a left hand but the ball hits the palm hard and falls out.

It will be Matt Henry to steam in from the other end.

PUT DOWN! Would you believe it? It is the skipper Kane Williamson with one of the safest pairs of hands who has dropped a simple chance. Tim Southee bowls it on a hard length around off stump, Saim Ayub comes down the pitch and looks to force it over mid off but miscues it badly. Williamson dives forward and gets both hands on it but shells it.

SIX! Wow, Saim Ayub has come out all guns blazing! Bowled back of a length and outside off, Ayub picks up the length early and gets in position before pulling it high over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Goes wider on the crease and angles it in on a tad fuller length onto off and middle. The ball nips away a bit and Mohammad Rizwan plays it off the inside half of the bat behind square leg for a single.

Pitches it up again in the channel around off and shaping away from the right-hander, Mohammad Rizwan strokes it away to cover.

Pitches this one up around the off stump and shaping back in, Saim Ayub presents the full face of the bat and just pushes it back past the bowler for a quick single.

FOUR! Slashed away by Saim Ayub! Tim Southee starts off with a shortish ball, wide of the off stump, Ayub comes down the pitch and slaps it away over cover-point to begin proceedings with a boundary. Pakistan are up and running.

SIX! Tim Southee with a brilliant and cheeky finish! Haris Rauf hares in and serves it full, tailing back into the stumps. Southee judges it well and shuffles past the off stump to just scoop it over short fine leg. The pace on the delivery carries it over the ropes and New Zealand finish with a daunting total of 226/8, the highest total conceded by Pakistan in a T20I game.

Dot ball! Banged in short over the stumps, Tim Southee looks to take it on but is beaten by the pace and bounce.

Tim Southee comes in now for New Zealand.

OUT! CAUGHT! Saim Ayub picks up his fourth catch of the night. Short of a length from Haris Rauf over middle and leg, Mark Chapman gets in position and looks to muscle it in front of mid-wicket but doesn't get the timing right. Ayub moves to his right at deep mid-wicket and holds on to another catch. Chapman departs after a fine cameo.

SIX! Wow, that has sailed into the stands and might have even hit a spectator. This is dug in short at the body and with lots of pace behind it. Mark Chapman just gets inside the line a bit and pulls it away over the backward square leg fence for a biggie.

TWO WIDES! Great awareness from Matt Henry and he gets Mark Chapman back on strike. Quick and full just down the leg side, Chapman sets off for the run and Henry is quick to turn back as well. Azam Khan the keeper under-arms a wide throw to Haris Rauf who just can't settle himself to hit the stumps and Henry makes his ground.

Matt Henry comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TIMBER! Haris Rauf knocks over Ish Sodhi on the first delivery. Steams in and hits the deck hard around off stump with a lot of pace behind it. The ball tails back in and Sodhi looks to heave it across the line but is beaten for raw pace. The ball castles into the off stump and sends it flying off the ground.

Fuller in length and at the pads, flicked away to deep square leg for a single.

Ish Sodhi comes out to bat but it will be Mark Chapman on strike at the start of the over. It will be Haris Rauf (3-0-19-0) to bowl the final over. Can he keep New Zealand under 220?

OUT! CAUGHT! Another catch in the deep for Saim Ayub and Adam Milne has to depart. Slower delivery, bowled shorter and over off stump. Adam Milne backs away and looks to swing it away over deep mid-wicket but gets a top edge that flies to the deep pocket. Ayub takes a simple catch and Shaheen Afridi gets another wicket.

Full and at the stumps, Mark Chapman tries to be cheeky as he looks to inverse the stance and reverse-dab it away but miscues it behind pint for a single.

SIX! Whacked away! Shaheen Afridi rolls his fingers over the ball and digs it in short over middle stump, Mark Chapman stands tall and pulls it away with disdain over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Very full again and at the stumps, not quite in the blockhole, Adam Milne hits it down to long on for one more.

Full and quick, angling into middle and leg, Mark Chapman digs it down to long on and picks up a single.

FOUR! Oh, a Superman effort in the deep from Aamer Jamal but the ball just evades him. This is banged in short at the body, Mark Chapman smokes the pull flat and hard to the left of deep backward square leg where Jamal moves to his left and even puts in a flying effort to that side but the ball goes into the fence for a boundary. The 200 is up for New Zealand.

Sensational over by Haris Rauf as he ends with a fourth dot on the trot. Takes pace off this one and bowls it fuller, angling into the leg stump. Adam Milne hangs back and swings across the line but is well beaten yet again.

Swing and a miss again! Hits the deck hard and bowls it over the stumps, Adam Milne looks to take on the pull but misses out.

Another crucial dot ball. Full and angling into the legs but it is the slower one again. Adam Milne clears the front leg and swings across the line but is beaten all ends up.

Well bowled! Haris Rauf sees Adam Milne shuffling past the off stump and follows him with an off-paced delivery. Milne gets himself into a tangle as he looks to scoop it away but misses.

Banged in short over the off stump, Adam Milne with an open stance looks to muscle it away in front of mid-wicket but doesn't quite get the timing right. Milne does pick up a brace though.

Hard length angling into the body, Mark Chapman tucks it away neatly past square leg and looks for two but has to settle for the single.

Haris Rauf returns to the attack. He has gone for 16 runs so far in his 2 overs.

SIX! Wow, that last blow seems to have galvanized Adam Milne and he dispatches Shaheen Afridi for a biggie. This is pitched up in and around the leg pole, Milne gets the front leg out of the way and lifts it very high and handsome over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

Halt! Adam Milne has copped a blow on the helmet and looks a bit shaken by the blow. The physio is out for the mandatory concussion assessment. The check is complete and we are all good to go now.

Ouch, that's straight on the grey matter! Shaheen Afridi steams in and digs in a short ball over middle and leg stump. Adam Milne takes his eyes off the ball and looks to take it on but is he beaten all ends up and gets oinged on the backside of the helmet. That could have been pretty nasty but Milne looks fine.

FOUR LEG BYES! Comes from over the wicket and errs in line does Shaheen Afridi as he bowls it a touch fuller and onto the pads. Adam Milne misses the flick but the ball goes off the pads and beats short fine leg to roll away into the fence.

Good length angling into the pads, glanced away behind square leg for a single.

Comes from around the stumps and serves it full onto middle, Adam Milne presents the full face of the bat and drives it to the left of long on for a single.

Adam Milne is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! The skipper comes back into the attack and picks up a big scalp. Shaheen Afridi starts from over the wicket and rolls his fingers over the ball a bit, pitching it up around leg stump. Daryl Mitchell looks for the big heave leg side but is early in the shot and one hand comes off the handle as well. The ball is hit high toward deep mid-wicket where Saim Ayub settles under it and takes the catch. Mitchell departs after a blistering innings but Pakistan now have a chance to bowl at the tail.

Dishes out a googly, short and turning in, on middle, Daryl Mitchell tucks it through mid-wicket and retains the strike with a single. 15 runs off the over and Usama Mir finishes with figures of 4-0-51-0 on his debut!

FOUR! Too short and Daryl Mitchell jumps all over it! A real drag down from Usama Mir, on middle, Daryl Mitchell is too good to miss out on such deliveries. Rocks back and nails the pull in the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on for four more runs.

Pitches this one fuller and around off, Mark Chapman gets back and nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

On a length and over middle and off, Daryl Mitchell rocks back and slashes it to long on for a single.

FOUR! Make it two-in-two. Usama Mir drags down the length and bowls it down the leg side. Daryl Mitchell gets across the line and guides the ball fine past short fine leg for another boundary.

FOUR! That shot brings up the half-century for Daryl Mitchell. Usama Mir tosses this one up and outside off, Daryl Mitchell advances to the pitch of the ball and opens the face of the bat to slice the ball over backward point for a boundary.

FOUR! The local boy gets off the mark in style! Banged in quick and short over the leg stump, Mark Chapman gets in position quickly and gets inside the line before pulling it away into the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Mark Chapman makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! TAKEN! After a barrage of slower deliveries, it is the quick and full one that does the trick for Abbas Afridi. Steams in and looks for the yorker on leg stump but just misses his mark by a couple of inches. This is a low full toss which is hard to get under and Glenn Phillips looks to whack it from deep inside the crease over long on. The ball comes off the toe end of the bat and goes towards long on where Babar Azam comes sliding in and takes a fine catch. Abbas Afridi has three wickets on debut and has pulled Pakistan back in it a bit.

Another slower one now, bowled full and on the legs this time, Daryl Mitchell has to create all the power as he flicks it away to deep backward square leg for a single.

In the air but lands safely! Another well deceived slower one from the back of the hand as this is bowled at just around 102 clicks and on a length around off. Daryl Mitchell is early in the lofted drive but manages to get it over extra cover for a couple of runs.

Pace on this time and on a hard length again, angling into the batter, Glenn Phillips backs away and plays it towards cover for one more.

Another back-of-the-hand slower ball from Abbas Afridi as he bowls it on a hard length and outside off. Daryl Mitchell has to wait for it and taps it toward covers for a single.

Abbas Afridi (3-0-25-2) will bowl out now. The debutant has been the pick of the bowlers so far for Pakistan.

A tad fuller but outside off, Daryl Mitchell waits on and goes for an expansive cut but doesn't time it well. The ball goes right into the hands of point fielder. Daryl Mitchell only gets a single off it.

Tossed up into the stumps, Glenn Phillips knocks it to mid-wicket right under his eyeline for a single.

Better delivery this. Pitched on a length, into middle and leg. Glenn Phillips rocks back and taps it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Beautifully hit. Usama Mir offers width on off, and pitches it a fraction fuller, Glenn Phillips leans on the drives and creams it through extra covers for a boundary.

Flatter delivery on the stumps, Daryl Mitchell whacks it aerially towards long on for a single.

Tossed up, outside off, the ball holds on a bit after pitching, Daryl Mitchell cuts it wide of point on the back foot and gets two runs. That's exceptional running between the wickets.

FOUR! A very, very expensive spell from Aamer Jamal comes to an end as he concedes 56 runs in his four overs. This is bowled short and wide, Glenn Phillips latches onto the width and slaps this one away behind square on the off side for yet another boundary. New Zealand have now scored 80 runs in the last 5 overs.

Good running! Hard length outside off, Glenn Phillips goes after the width and slaps it away past the diving point fielder for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Poor delivery and punished! Short and on the hips, Glenn Phillips flicks it with disdain over short fine leg for a boundary.

Just short! Excellent work though from Iftikhar Ahmed in the deep. Full and straight again, Daryl Mitchell hangs deep in the crease and thumps it toward long off where Ahmed comes sliding in and does well to get his body behind the ball and takes it on the half-volley. Just the single.

SIX! Another class shot by Daryl Mitchell and that has gone all the way. Aamer Jamal brings out the off-cutter now but bowls it in the slot at the stumps. Mitchell clears the front leg and plays that high-elbow shot, flat and over the bowler's head for a maximum.

Full and wide outside off, Glenn Phillips opens up the off side and thrashes it away to deep point for a single.

WIDE! Good wheels on that one but just drifting down the leg side. Aamer Jamal bangs it in at 139 clicks and right around the left shoulder, angling down, Glenn Phillips looks to take it on but misses. Jamal reckons there's something on it but nothing doing says the umpire.

Great yorker in the blackhole around middle and leg, Glenn Phillips does great to get his bat down and dig it out towards wide long on. The batters get a single.

Back of a length middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell hangs back and nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

On a good length, nipping into the right-hander. Almost cut Glenn Phillips into half. Phillips tries to dig it but gets an inside edge onto the hips as the ball rolls to backward point.

Glenn Phillips walks out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Abbas Afridi has the last laugh and the debutant shows bravery to come back and dismiss the Kiwi skipper. Abbas bowls this one from the back-of-the-hand and pushes it fuller into the legs. Kane Williamson shimmies down the track and looks to make some room leg side and go straight down the ground. The ball though comes off the inner half of the bat and goes a bit squarer towards long on. Fakhar Zaman settles under it well and reverse-cups it over his head. Williamson departs after a fine knock and Pakistan are able to break the stand.

FOUR! That's an impressive shot. Pitched on a good length, just outside off, Kane Williamson gets across the line and wacks it to right of long on for another boundary.

FOUR! Up and over. FIFTY for Kane Williamson! Abbas Afridi pitches this on a good length, angling into the right-hander, Kane Williamson shimmies down the track and goes inside out. The ball hits the centre of the bat and loops over cover for a boundary. Brings up 50 runs for the New Zealand skipper.

WIDE! Steams from over the wicket and overpitches it but down the leg side. Wide is called.

The debutant Abbas Afridi (2-0-13-1) has been brought back into the attack in search of a breakthrough.

Hard length around the top of off stump, Kane Williamson stays back and nudges it down with soft hands to short third for a quick single.

FOUR! Make that 19 off the over with a ball to go. Another off paced delivery but the line is all wrong, this one drifts down the leg side and Kane Williamson holds his position in order to maneuver it to the left of short fine leg for yet another boundary.

FOUR! Just eased away for another boundary by Kane Williamson and 15 off this over already. Slower one, bowled full and at the stumps, Williamson shimmies down the pitch and opens up the off side before creaming it a bit uppishly through extra cover for a boundary.

Goes full again but gets it in the blockhole around the leg peg, Daryl Mitchell jams it out in front of deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

FOUR! Too easy for Daryl Mitchell at the moment! Short and angled in at the hips, Mitchell just clips it away well wide of short fine leg and into the vacant boundary.

SIX! BANG! The third one that Daryl Mitchell has deposited into the sightscreen and he is loving that short straight boundary. This is pitched up full on off stump, right in the slot, Mitchell clears the front leg and thumps it right back over the bowler's head for another biggie.

Drinks break! This has been a solid first half for New Zealand and they will be eyeing that 200-run mark with the platform set. Pakistan haven't been at their best with the ball but have created chances and it has been the fielding that has been a real let down. The debutant Abbas Afridi has been the pick of the bowlers but they will now have to pick up wickets in order to stop this rampaging pair of Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell. Also, Aamer Jamal (2-0-17-0) is back on.

Flatter and quicker through the air, shorter as well, on off, Kane Williamson backs away and cuts it late but can't get it past short third man. At the halfway mark, New Zealand are 99/2!

Shortens his length and bowls it on middle, Daryl Mitchell rocks back and pulls it along the ground to long on for a single.

SIX! Back-to-back sixes. Similar delivery and served the same treatment. Overpitched around off with no spin at all. Daryl Mitchell hangs back and lofts it over long on for another maximum.

SIX! Smoked away for a biggie. Tossed up delivery, around middle and off, Daryl Mitchell takes out his front foot and whacks it straight over the bowler for a six.

DROPPED! Another one bites the dust and Kane Williamson gets another life here. Usama Mir bowls this one shorter and around off, turning away but this one holds a bit in the deck. Williamson backs away to cut but top-edges it over the head of backward point. Iftikhar Ahmed there does well initially to leap up and get a right hand on it but it doesn't stick and Ahmed does get a couple of more bites at it and doesn't manage to hold on. Just the single then.

FOUR! Similar to his first delivery. Usama Mir pitches it short and drifting down the leg side, Kane Williamson advances down the track and guides the ball past short fine leg for a boundary.

Good running! Pace on now, on a good length, on off, Kane Williamson plays it right under his eyes and pats it in front of point for a quick single.

Slower and on a back of a length, down leg, Kane Williamson skips out of the crease and helps it away to the right of deep square leg for two more runs.

Pitches it up now, on off, Kane Williamson drives it to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Quality shot by a quality player! This is bowled on a short of a length, outside off, Kane Williamson walks across to the off side and premeditates to scoop it over short fine leg. He adjusts well and opens the bat face to guide it wide of short third man for a boundary.

Closer to the off-stump, on a hard length, Kane Williamson hops and keeps it out on the off side.

Uh oh, another misfield! Bowls it on a good length, on off, Kane Williamson lets the ball come to him and drops it with soft hands in front of backward point. He sets off for the single and Daryl Mitchell responds in agreement. Mohammad Rizwan runs in a bit too hard to affect a run out and fails to pick it up. The ball rolls behind and Rizwan fires a wayward throw towards the keeper which allows the batters to complete the second run with ease.

Haris Rauf (1-0-5-0) is back on.

Pitches this one a fraction shorter on off, Kane Williamson gets back and half pulls it towards mid-wicket for another single. 9 runs come off the over.

Tossed up, around off, Daryl Mitchell taps the ball with soft hands towards point and sprints for another single. That's great running between the wickets by these two.

Dug in short, into middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell shimmies down the track and tucks it with soft hands towards mid-wicket. The batters pinch two runs and that's excellent running.

Fuller and into the stumps, Kane Williamson presses forward reaching the pitch of the ball and nudges it to square leg for one.

Tossed up, outside off this time, Kane Williamson hangs back and cuts it to backward point.

FOUR! That's not the ideal start to the T20I career for Usama Mir. A loosener pitched short and drifting down the leg stump, Kane Williamson covers the line and gets down on the knee to paddle sweep it over short fine for a boundary.

Time for some spin as Usama Mir comes on to bowl on his T20I debut.

Back of a length, slower and angling into leg, Kane Williamson waits for the ball to arrive and helps it down to fine leg to retain the strike. A tidy over from the debutant, just the 5 runs off it!

Oh...nearly! Serves it on a good length, outside off, Kane Williamson steps out to get momentum into shot and looks to drive it square on the off side. Gets this one off the outer part and the ball drops in front of the diving Mohammad Rizwan at backward point.

Hits the deck hard now at pace, on off, Kane Williamson gets on his toes and stabs the ball down the wicket.

Drifts on the pads, on a slightly fuller length, Daryl Mitchell clips it towards deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

WIDE! Loopy slower delivery on a fullish length, deceives Daryl Mitchell but the line is down leg. Wide called by the umpire.

Angling it into the right-hander, on a good length, on off, Kane Williamson gets on the front foot and wrists it in front of wide long on for a single.

At 134.6 clicks, low full toss, on middle, Daryl Mitchell uses his feet and drives it with a straight bat to long on for a single.

Great way to end the over, right in the blockhole! Pitches it fuller into middle and off, Kane Williamson digs it out well.

On the good length and into the stumps, zipping off the deck a bit, Kane Williamson blocks it on the front foot.

Bowls short of a length, into the body this time. Kane Williamson hangs back and blocks it well.

FOUR! Perfectly timed. Aamer Jamal serves this on the full, outside off asking to be hit. Kane Williamson leans on the drive and times it well past covers for a boundary.

A fraction fuller this time, outside off, Kane Williamson tries to play across the line but gets an inside edge. The ball zips past to the left of the keeper who gets a good hand on it.

Comes from over the wicket and pitches it on a good length, just around off, Daryl Mitchell presses forward and opens the blade at the very end sending the ball to point for a single.

This is bowled full and slanting in, on middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell drives it through mid on and gets off the mark with a single.

Daryl Mitchell is the new batter in.

OUT! TAKEN! Aamer Jamal holds on and Abbas Afridi has his maiden T20I wicket! Abbas Afridi bowls the back-of-the-hand slower delivery, on a back of a length, on middle and leg, Finn Allen shapes himself up to access the leg side but fails to read the change of pace. He swings early and ends up lobbing it off the bottom half of the bat towards square leg where Aamer Jamal does the rest. A much-needed breakthrough for Pakistan and they will be relieved to see the back of Finn Allen!

Lands it on a back of a length, on off, Kane Williamson stays in the crease and pats it wide of cover for a single.

DROPPED! Babar Azam does all the hard work but puts it down! Kane Williamson gets a life! Pace off now, on a fuller length, on middle and leg, Kane Williamson backs away and has a swipe across the line. Gets undone by the slowness of the delivery and skies it high in the air towards mid on. Babar Azam back pedals right away and covers good ground. He settles under the skier but fails to hang on. How costly will this drop prove?

FOUR! Up and over! Honing in, at the stumps, on a length, Kane Williamson shimmies down the track and launches it back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Starts off on a back of a length, on off, Kane Williamson runs it down to short third man but fails to find the gap.

The debutant, Abbas Afridi comes into the attack now.

Pulls his length back and bowls it on middle, Kane Williamson pats it towards mid on and scampers across for a quick single. A direct hit at the bowling end would have made it interesting!

On a fullish length, on midle, knocked down to long on for a single by Finn Allen.

WIDE! Slips it down leg, at pace, Finn Allen lets it go for a wide.

A massive appeal for LBW but turned down! Shaheen Afridi sends it upstairs for a review! On a good length, on middle, Kane Williamson walks across and tries to scoop it over short fine leg. The ball comes back in off the deck and pings Williamson on the thigh pad. He is in front of the stumps when the ball hits him but the umpire is unmoved. Nothing on UltraEdge and it is umpire's call on Ball Tracking the ball is just clipping the stumps. The on-field decision will stand!

Leg bye! Aamer Jamal gets away with the Free Hit! Full and angling in, on the pads, Finn Allen looks to whip it away on the leg side but misses out as the ball rolls off his pads on the off side and they cross for a leg bye.

Kane Williamson goes across the stumps and might have been caught on the pads here. Aamer Jamal is certain but the umpire turns it down and the review is eventually taken. UltraEdge shows a flat line as the ball passes the bat and this looks pretty adjacent. Williamson though gets saved as the wickets are shown as umpire's call. NOT OUT comes up on the big screen.

CLEANED HIM UP! OH, HANG ON, Aamer Jamal has overstepped! Aamer Jamal bowls it at pace, on a length, angling in, at the stumps, Finn Allen clears his front leg and goes for an ugly heave across the line. Gets beaten for pace as the ball sneaks past the inside edge and rattles into the woodwork. Aamer Jamal sets off on a celebratory run and the Pakistan players are elated. However, the celebrations come to an unexpected halt as the umpire signals a no ball. The siren goes off and Jamel has overstepped by a big margin! Free Hit will follow now!

SIX! Finn Allen is putting on a show here! Aamer Jamal rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it on a good length, outside off, Finn Allen picks the change of pace and smacks it with disdain over wide long off for a biggie.

Full and slanting in, on off, Kane Williamson pats it in front of point and gets to the other end.

Aamer Jamal comes into the attack now.

Drags his length back and bowls it on off, Finn Allen hangs back and dabs it from the crease towards point. Finn Allen mayhem at the Eden Park, 24 runs off the over!

SIX! Stand and deliver stuff! 24 runs off the over with a ball to go! Afridi misses his mark and hurls it right in the slot, on middle, Finn Allen picks up the length early and swings through the line. Deposits it into the stands towards the long on region for the second maximum of the over.

FOUR! Hat-trick of fours from Finn Allen! At pace again, full in length, outside off, Finn Allen plays it right under his eyes and firms the drive to the left of mid off for the third boundary on the trot.

FOUR! Two in two for Finn Allen! Afridi loses his radar as he bowls it full and on the pads, Finn Allen gets inside the line and tickles it to the right of short fine leg for four more runs.

FOUR! A bit too full and Finn Allen jumps all over it! Afridi serves a half-volley, around off, Finn Allen gets all his weight on the front foot and drills it to the left of mid off for a boundary.

SIX! Swung away nicely by Finn Allen! Shaheen Afridi takes pace off and bowls it around off, on a good length, Finn Allen gets deceived by the lack of pace but still goes through with the shot. Clears his front leg and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket. The bottom hand comes off but still gets enough bat on it to clear the fence for the first maximum.

Serves it at 143 clicks, on a good length, in the corridor of uncertainty on off, Kane Williamson opens the bat face to guide it down to third man but fails to get the connection.

Sees the batter back away does Rauf and follows him with a pacy delivery, on a length, Finn Allen swings to go down town but mishits it in front of mid on for a single.

Swing and a miss! Goes into the wicket, outside off, Finn Allen looks to take on the short ball as he looks to pull it up and over mid-wicket, only to connect with thin air.

Kane Williamson is up and running! Haris Rauf bowls it on a back of a length, on off, Kane Williamson gets on his toes and rides on top of the bounce to punch it through covers. Three fielders give the chase and cut it off but cannot prevent the batters from running three.

Beaten! In the channel on off, on a good length, pace behind it, Kane Williamson goes for the drive away from the body but the ball holds its line and zips past the outside edge. It carries at head height to the keeper, Azam Khan.

Quick single taken! Hurls it at 127.7 clicks, on a full length, around off, Finn Allen hangs back and drives it on the up to the left of mid off and calls Kane Williamson through for a quick single.

Haris Rauf to steam in from the opposite end.

A wicket and just a single off the first over from Shaheen Afridi! Looks to go full but ends up serving a juicy low full toss, outside off, Kane Williamson lunges but mistimes the drive towards cover.

Shaping in, on a good length, on off, Kane Williamson defends it right under his eyeline towards the off side.

Angling across the right-hander, on a good length, on off, Kane Williamson waits on it and dabs it with an open bat face to point.

Hurls it on a fullish length, around off, Kane Williamson presents an angled bat and jams it out to mid off.

The Kiwi skipper, Kane Williamson walks in early at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! What a start for Shaheen Afridi and Pakistan! Afridi draws the first blood on his captaincy debut! Devon Conway departs for a golden duck! Bowls it with an upright seam, on a length, around off, Devon Conway stays rooted in his crease and goes for the drive away from his body. He lets his hands flow into the shot and ends up chipping it tamely towards short cover. Saim Ayub completes the simplest of catches as he reverse cups it in front of his face.

Finn Allen and New Zealand are away! Starts from over the wicket and bowls it on a fullish length, tailing in, on off and middle, Finn Allen gets his bat down in time and squeezes it out to the right of cover for a single to open his account.

We are all set for the start of play! The umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of Pakistan who can be seen having a bit of laugh. It will be the pair of Devon Conway and Finn Allen to open the innings for New Zealand. The skipper, Shaheen Afridi will take the new ball himself and is raring to go. Let's play...

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (WK), Aamer Jamal, Usama Mir (On T20 debut), Shaheen Afridi (C), Abbas Afridi (On T20 debut), Haris Rauf.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Finn Allen, Devon Conway (WK), Kane Williamson (C), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears.

TOSS - Pakistan have won the coin toss and they will BOWL first.

New Zealand, led by the return of Kane Williamson to the captaincy, fields a formidable side as they aim to build on their recent hard-fought drawn series against Bangladesh. Eager to put that behind them, the team will be determined to deliver an improved and cohesive performance. The declaration of Tim Southee and Matt Henry as fit for the series reinforces the strength of their bowling lineup, although they will miss Mitchell Santner in the first match due to COVID-19. With ample choices for a replacement in the playing XI, New Zealand will be itching to face Pakistan and will strive for a victory in the opening match. Will they start off well and get an early advantage? Or will the Pakistan team pose new challenges to the hosts? Let's find out as the Toss and team news comes to you shortly.

Pakistan enter this series on the heels of a challenging defeat against Australia in Tests and will be determined to turn their fortunes around with the white ball. Led by Shaheen Afridi, this team boasts a solid combination of both young talents and experienced players. The squad's batting depth is a crucial factor, complemented by a formidable pace attack that could prove to be lethal at the Eden Park. Pakistan will look to showcase resilience and shift the momentum with compelling performances in the upcoming limited-overs clashes with an eye on the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Greetings and a warm welcome to the opening match of the 5-match T20I series between New Zealand and Pakistan at the iconic Eden Park in Auckland. Get ready for an enthralling contest as two formidable teams prepare to face off in a crucial series, especially with the T20 World Cup just around the corner.

... MATCH DAY ...

Pakistan's venture into the land down under continues but now, they move further down to meet Australia's Trans-Tasmanian rivals New Zealand in a five-match T20I series which will give both sides some good practice a few months before the T20 World Cup. The first game will be played at Eden Park in Auckland, one of the most iconic venues in New Zealand and this could prove to be a runfest. Beginning with the hosts, the Black Caps have picked a fairly strong squad with regular skipper Kane Williamson returning to the fore and the likes of Mitchell Santner and Devon Conway being a part of the team as well. The pace attack consists of speedsters like Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne along with two experienced names in Tim Southee and Matt Henry who has been declared fit to play in this series. Finn Allen and Devon Conway make for an explosive opening pair but the former has a point to prove and stamp his place in the T20 side. Daryl Mitchell will yet again provide stability in that middle order with the likes of Mark Chapman and the powerful Glenn Phillips coming down the order. Rachin Ravindra isn't a part of the squad but the likes of Ben Sears, Tim Seifert and Ish Sodhi will make an appearance of two given it is a five-match series. Moving on to Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi will lead the T20 side and will have Mohammad Rizwan as his deputy as regular T20 vice-captain Shadab Khan has been ruled out of the series with an injury. The visitors do seem to have depth in their squad but it will be interesting to see which players do make the Playing XI. All eyes will be on the likes of Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam both of whom will be itching to get some vital runs under their belt. The pace attack seems very well-rounded with Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim and Zaman Khan supporting skipper Shaheen Afridi. The spin attack does leave a lot to be desired and we have seen in the recent past that Pakistani spinners haven't been able to do as well as other sub-continental teams. They do have the option of Usama Mir along with Iftikhar Ahmed as well. There are also a few players the selectors will have a keen eye on with young Saim Ayub and Haseebullah Khan fighting for a spot in the lineup and Azam Khan wanting to stamp his authority as a consistent explosive option with the bat. Aamer Jamal might or will definitely get an opportunity given his stellar exploits with the ball in the Test series against Australia plus he provides a handy option with the bat as well. All in all, the Kiwis have a fairly settled lineup and even though Pakistan are spoilt for choices, their Playing XI has a big question mark on it. Will the visitors be able to find their best combination and inflict a defeat on the Kiwis? Or will New Zealand trounce Pakistan and take the early lead? We shall find out in due time.