ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the second T20I of their five-match series on Tuesday in Dunedin, with both sides expected to retain their line-ups from the opening match, where the hosts secured a dominant nine-wicket victory.
New Zealand is expected to stick with their victorious formula, featuring the pace attack of Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, and Zakary Foulkes, complemented by the spin duo of Ish Sodhi and captain Michael Bracewell.
New Zealand Squad: 1. Tim Seifert, 2. Finn Allen, 3. Tim Robinson, 4. Mark Chapman, 5. Daryl Mitchell, 6. Mitchell Hay (wk), 7. Michael Bracewell (capt), 8. Zakary Foulkes, 9. Ish Sodhi, 10. Kyle Jamieson, 11. Jacob Duffy
Pakistan introduced fast bowler Mohammed Ali into the fray, tasking him with opening the bowling alongside Shaheen Afridi, which resulted in Haris Rauf being sidelined for the first match.
Ali bowled three overs, conceding 25 runs. Given the five-match series format, Pakistan is keen to provide Ali with further chances before reintegrating the seasoned Rauf.
Pakistan Squad: 1. Mohammad Haris (wk), 2. Hasan Nawaz, 3. Salman Agha (capt), 4. Irfan Khan, 5. Shadab Khan, 6. Khushdil Shah, 7. Abdul Samad, 8. Jahandad Khan, 9. Shaheen Afridi, 10. Abrar Ahmed, 11. Mohammed Ali
Pitch and Conditions
The University Oval in Dunedin has hosted three men’s T20Is to date, the latest being in January 2024, where Finn Allen’s explosive 137 propelled New Zealand to a total of 224, leading to a 45-run victory over Pakistan.
The pitch has generally favoured batters, with teams averaging 9.88 runs per over in T20Is here. Notably, three out of six matches have seen teams surpass the 200-run mark.
As for the weather on match day, expect occasional showers amidst a cool atmosphere.
Stats and trivia
Tim Seifert, who has played all three T20Is Dunedin has hosted, has an average of 56.50 at the venue.
Since the start of 2020, New Zealand have won eight of the 12 T20Is against Pakistan at home.
