Both New Zealand and Pakistan will be without their talismanic captains - Kane Williamson and Babar Azam - among a host of other absentees in both parties, as the two countries renew their T20I rivalry after a two-year gap, in the first of the three T20Is in Auckland.
PAKISTAN TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND
Sans regular captains, New Zealand and Pakistan lock horns
Kane Williamson's absence means Mitchell Santner will get more than just 2.2 overs to captain New Zealand this time around © Getty
Pakistan have had the wood over New Zealand in their recent T20I history, having won five in a row starting with a seven-wicket win at the very venue in January 2018. They not just went on to register a come-from-behind 2-1 series win on their last trip to this part of the globe, but also blanked New Zealand 3-0 at home, in the UAE, in the reverse fixtures in October-November that same year. However, even a depleted New Zealand side will test Pakistan's batting depth this series after they lost both Babar and Imam-ul-Haq to similar fractures while training.
Pakistan's trip itself started on a sour note with news emerging of bio-bubble breaches, confirmed by a half a dozen COVID-19 positives in the touring party. Governmental warnings and that from PCB followed, which even led to head coach Misbah-ul-Haq's open admission that, at one point, the team considered pulling out of the series because of the toll it took on the players, mentally. However, Pakistan have vowed not to blame this episode, and the resulting stringent quarantine they were made to serve upon arrival, as an excuse should the results not go their way. But losing two key batsmen ahead of the T20I series is a further blow to their chances, more so in conditions that are likely to favour their kin.
The lack of star power in the home team's camp is more temporary, with a host of bowlers rested after their 2-0 Test series win over West Indies and Williamson only missing the first game while on his paternity leave. They have dropped under-performing vetran Ross Taylor, while handing more opportunities to the impressive pair of Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway who were the stars with the bat in their 2-0 drubbing of the Caribbean outfit at home, before weather denied them a shot at a clean sweep.
New Zealand's considerably inexperienced bowling line-up in a potential run-fest is Pakistan's opportunity to put the off-field drama behind them and start the cricket part of their trip on a positive note.
When: Friday, December 18 at 7pm local | 6am GMT
Where:Eden Park, Auckland
What to expect:The weather that played spoilsport in New Zealand's last T20I home assignment last month, is expected to stay clear this time around. Auckland's smaller ground dimensions make for high-scoring encounters.
Team News
New Zealand
Kane Williamson's absence means Mitchell Santner will get more than just 2.2 overs to captain New Zealand this time around. Ross Taylor has been dropped for the series with the selectors offering an extended run to newcomers Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips to cement their spots. Likewise, the bowling department will don a new look as well with quicks Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Daryl Mitchell all rested for the opener following the WI Tests.
