Karachi: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and bowled first against New Zealand in an exciting clash. The match, played in Pakistan, sees the defending champions aiming to make a strong start.
New Zealand Captain Santner Prefers Batting Second
New Zealand’s stand-in captain, Mitchell Santner, admitted he would have preferred to chase. Speaking ahead of the game, he said, “I think it’s better to bat second.” He expressed confidence in his team’s recent form, stating, “We have been playing some good cricket, and the boys are ready to go.”
Santner also highlighted the familiarity between both teams, adding, “We have played against Pakistan a lot, so we know each other very well.” Reflecting on their past performances, he noted, “Everyone stepping up during the Tri-series was a positive sign.”
Rizwan Aims for a Strong Start
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan explained his decision to bowl first, saying, “We want to go to the ball first.” As the defending champions, he acknowledged the added pressure but emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes. *“We recently played a series against New Zealand. This is a big tournament, and playing at home makes it even more significant,” he said.
Rizwan also referred to their past experience in the Tri-Nation series against New Zealand, where they experimented with both batting and bowling first. “Hopefully, we won’t repeat the same mistakes,” he added.
Match Line-ups
Pakistan Playing XI:
– Fakhar Zaman
– Babar Azam
– Saud Shakeel
– Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK)
– Salman Ali Agha
– Tayyab Tahir
– Khushdil Shah
– Shaheen Afridi
– Naseem Shah
– Haris Rauf
– Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand Playing XI:
– Will Young
– Devon Conway
– Kane Williamson
– Daryl Mitchell
– Tom Latham (WK)
– Glenn Phillips
– Michael Bracewell
– Mitchell Santner (C)
– Matt Henry
– Nathan Smith
– Will O’Rourke
Officials for the Match
– On-field Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG) and Sharfuddoula (BAN)
– TV Umpire: Joel Wilson (WIS)
– Match Referee: Andrew Pycroft (ZIM)
Expectations from the Match
With Pakistan choosing to bowl first, they will look to take early wickets and put New Zealand under pressure. On the other hand, New Zealand’s batting unit, led by experienced players like Kane Williamson and Devon Conway, will aim to set a competitive total. Both teams are well aware of each other’s strengths, making this a thrilling contest.
Fans can expect an action-packed game as Pakistan looks to dominate at home while New Zealand aim to capitalize on its recent momentum. Stay tuned for live updates and match highlights!
