Cricket fans are in for an exciting clash as Pakistan vs New Zealand in the first T20I of their five-match series on March 16, 2025, at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. With both teams experimenting with their squads, this match marks the beginning of a new phase in their T20 journeys. While New Zealand fields a young squad under Michael Bracewell’s leadership, Pakistan is ushering in a fresh era under the new T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha.
Let’s dive into the detailed match preview, including team news, head-to-head stats, predicted playing XIs, pitch conditions, and more.
New Zealand enters this series with a relatively inexperienced squad as some of their key players, including regular captain Kane Williamson, are unavailable due to their Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments. Michael Bracewell, an all-rounder known for his explosive batting and handy off-spin, has been handed the captaincy.
Finn Allen: The aggressive opener will be crucial at the top.
Mark Chapman: A reliable middle-order batter with experience.
Daryl Mitchell: A power-hitter and a handy bowler.
Ish Sodhi: The experienced leg-spinner will lead the spin attack.
Kyle Jamieson: The tall pacer can extract bounce and trouble batters.
The Kiwis will look to make a statement with their younger players and test their bench strength against a strong Pakistani side.
Pakistan has taken a bold step by resting senior players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for this series. Salman Ali Agha, a consistent performer in domestic cricket, will captain the side, with Shadab Khan as his deputy. The team management is using this series to test fresh faces ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 and the T20 Asia Cup 2025.
Salman Ali Agha (C): The new captain will look to lead from the front.
Usman Khan: A talented wicketkeeper-batter looking to cement his spot.
Khushdil Shah: A big-hitter in the middle order.
Shaheen Afridi: Pakistan’s premier fast bowler, always a threat.
Haris Rauf: His pace and variations will be crucial on New Zealand pitches.
Pakistan’s squad looks well-balanced with a mix of emerging players and experienced campaigners.
Pakistan vs New Zealand have had several exciting encounters in T20Is.
Total T20I Matches Played: 44
Pakistan Wins: 23
New Zealand Wins: 19
No Result: 2
Pakistan has a slight edge historically, but New Zealand has been dominant in recent encounters, especially at home.
Match: 1st T20I – Pakistan vs New Zealand
Date: March 16, 2025
Time: 6:45 AM IST / 2:15 AM GMT
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and FanCode
1. Omair Yousuf
2. Hasan Nawaz
3. Salman Ali Agha (c)
4. Usman Khan (wk)
5. Mohammad Haris
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Abdul Samad
8. Shadab Khan
9. Shaheen Afridi
10. Abbas Afridi
11. Haris Rauf
1. Tim Robinson
2. Finn Allen
3. Tim Seifert (wk)
4. Mark Chapman
5. Daryl Mitchell
6. Michael Bracewell (c)
7. James Neesham
8. Kyle Jamieson
9. Ish Sodhi
10. Jacob Duffy
11. William O’Rourke
The Hagley Oval pitch is known to assist bowlers, especially seamers, with bounce and movement early on. However, as the game progresses, batters can play their shots freely.
Pacers will enjoy early movement.
Spinners might get some turn in the latter stages.
Team winning the toss may choose to bowl first.
The weather is expected to be partly cloudy, with temperatures around 18°C, making it ideal for cricket.Pakistan vs New Zealand
This match will be an exciting contest between New Zealand’s aggressive batting approach and Pakistan’s strong bowling attack. While New Zealand has home advantage, Pakistan’s bowling unit, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, could make the difference.
If Pakistan’s young batters can handle the conditions well, they might start the series with a win. However, New Zealand’s power-hitters and depth in batting make them equally dangerous.
Prediction: Pakistan 55% – New Zealand 45%
With both teams fielding new-look squads, this series will be a crucial test ahead of major tournaments. Can Salman Ali Agha make an impact as Pakistan’s new captain? Will New Zealand’s young guns shine at home?
All eyes will be on Hagley Oval on March 16, as cricket fans witness a battle of strategy, skill, and temperament. Stay tuned for what promises to be an action-packed T20I!
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