LAHORE: Pakistan’s new and old teachers are eager to teach the Kiwis a lesson as the second T20 match is played in Rawalpindi today.
The home T20 series from New Zealand is considered important for the preparations for the World Cup to be held in America and West Indies in June this year. I decided to try a new combination for the first match but due to frequent rain interference only 2 balls were possible, Usman Khan, Irfan Niazi and Abrar Ahmed were waiting to show their talent on debut.
In the second T20 scheduled today, the host team will try to complete the homework by making the new Kiwis a board exercise. The combination could not be tested in the first match, so the playing XI is likely to be retained.
In the tour of New Zealand, Saeem Ayub was sent to open alongside Mohammad Rizwan but he did not succeed. Mohammad Rizwan will have to go to the third position, due to the lack of runs and falling wickets in the middle order, Usman Khan has been imported from UAE, he is expected to perform like PSL.
Iftikhar Ahmed used to get very few balls in the lower order but he has great power hitting ability, promotion to number five will give him a chance to add more to the total, Irfan Niazi will also be there for backup, Shadab Khan’s An all-round performance can turn the tide of a match.
Pakistan’s pace battery now has more experience than before, Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah will be there to support Shaheen Shah Afridi, the mystery bowling of Abrar Ahmed, the spinner preferred over Imad Wasim, will be watched by coaches, captains and fans with interest. will
On the other hand, 14 main cricketers of New Zealand are not available due to IPL and other engagements, but the available cricketers are confident of good performance in domestic and T20 events, Tim Robinson was included in the playing eleven of the first match based on this performance. It was done but he was bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi on the second and last ball of the innings, Tim Seifert, Dan Foxcroft, Mark Chapman also have a reputation for aggressive batting, captain Michael Bracewell can play an important role in the middle order.
Among the bowlers, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears and Ben Lester will be the axis of hopes, Ash Soudy can prove to be the team’s trump card based on his experience in spin bowling. Rawalpindi’s pitch is considered to be supportive. Batters with better technique can also score runs quickly.
Contrary to the previous match, the weather is predicted to be better on Saturday, earlier 49% chance of rain was shown which reduced to 24%, last day Pakistani cricketers rested, due to bad weather the practice session of Kiwis had to be cancelled.
