Pakistan is all set to lock horns with New Zealand in a 5-match T20I series starting from 18th April 2024. International cricket for the Test playing nations is set to resume as Pakistan and New Zealand would be gearing up and preparing themselves for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
This series will be a preparatory series for the Pakistanis and the Kiwis as the format is the same. Babar Azam returns as the T20I skipper of Pakistan after Shaheen Shah Afridi failed to live up to the expectations of everyone.
Under Afridi’s charge, Pakistan had lost their previous T20I series versus New Zealand, 1-4. His side Lahore Qalandars had also finished with the wooden spoon in the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024.
In this article, we take a look at 5 players to watch out for in the upcoming T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand:
1. Babar Azam (Pakistan)
With a fresh mindset, Babar Azam would be hoping to achieve success with this Pakistani side as they cross swords with New Zealand. Azam has been one of the most successful batters of Pakistan of all-time and is a treat to watch.
He had mustered 213 runs in the previous T20I series between these two sides with an average of 42.60. Babar Azam can breathe fire with his blazing blade and will be a key player to watch-out for in the Pakistani setup.
2. Michael Bracewell (New Zealand)
With a young team under his helm, Michael Bracewell has a tough task at his hand. He has to punch above his weight in order to perform well against the mighty Pakistan side in their own backyard.
With the likes of Kane Williamson, Will Young, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult and Devon Conway engaged with Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 duties, the onus will be on Michale Bracewell to make sure that his side performs well against Pakistan.
The 33-year-old all-rounder has played 16 T20Is for the Black Caps and has amassed 113 runs and has picked up 21 wickets.
3. Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
With a point to prove to all his naysayers, we can expect Shaheen Afridi to deliver the goods with the white-cherry with perfection and expertise in the upcoming 5-match T20I series between New Zealand and Pakistan.
Afridi has represented Pakistan in 57 T20Is and has bagged 73 wickets so far.
4. Ish Sodhi (New Zealand)
Leg-spinner of New Zealand, Ish Sodhi will be a key player to watch-out for. Since the sub-continent wickets always favour spinners, Ish Sodhi will have his task cut-out.
The 31-year-old cricketer has played 111 T20Is for New Zealand and has picked up 132 wickets.
5. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
Swashbuckling wicket-keeper batter of Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan brims with consistency in this format. In the T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand, earlier this year, Rizwan had finished as the third-highest run-getter.
He had scored 184 runs in 5 matches and had an average of 46.00 in the T20I series in New Zealand.
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