Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

Image credit: AFP

It is not often the losing captain is all smiles after a defeat. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was, and rightly so, as his side pushed a strong Pakistan side all the way in the first of three potentially brilliant T20I matches.

Both sides played fantastic cricket in the first T20I, combined with periods of play that will call for improvement from the leadership groups of both camps.

Can Pakistan seal their 11th straight T20I series win, or will New Zealand keep the series alive?

In addition to the possibility of 11 straight series wins, Pakistan are aiming for eight straight wins in T20I matches. It is a simple conclusion that Pakistan’s bowling has been great, but who would have thought that one day Pakistan will be called one of the best fielding sides, in any format? Shoaib Malik and the electric Shadab Khan were vital in the field, accompanying Mohammad Hafeez who was superb with the bat. Can Pakistan’s batting finally fire as a whole, adequately supporting a bowling line up that has defended totals four totals of 145-155 in a week?

New Zealand showed in the first T20I that they aren’t far behind, unlike their Trans-Tasman rivals Australia. Regrouping after no international cricket for seven months, New Zealand pushed Pakistan right back early, and then treated us to three of the finest catches you’ll see. Tim Southee’s final two balls and New Zealand’s middle order wobble proved vital in a game where the likes of Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and Ish Sodhi were superb. Can the Black Caps iron out a few little issues to level the series?

Key to a Pakistan win

The first 21 balls of Pakistan’s batting effort on Wednesday yielded 10 runs for the loss of two wickets, rendering Mohammad Hafeez’ contribution critical. However, Pakistan are once again getting into trouble with their middle order not quite firing, with the side dependent on the likes of Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez to get them going. Can these two provide vital runs at the top that gives Pakistan stability?

Also, Pakistan’s strength continues to be their bowling, and must continue their bowling exploits from the last four matches. Imad and Faheem are generally providing good results in powerplays, and Pakistan would be encouraged by their efforts to pull things back after the dismissal of the very dangerous Colin Munro. In the end, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi largely held their nerve to see Pakistan home, and a repeat will go a long way to victory in this one.

Key to a New Zealand win

One interesting battle ahead of the first T20I was Colin Munro against the Pakistan bowling attack, and he was absolutely superb. The key is repeating the effort, to give New Zealand the upper hand, with more support needed from the likes of the uncharacteristically out of touch Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips. Can the top order fire, giving the potentially dangerous New Zealand middle impetus to fire?

With the ball and in the field, New Zealand were impressive on Wednesday. Spinners Ish Sodhi and Ajaz Patel were economical and effective, with the pacers needing to cut down the boundaries as much as possible. As the first T20I proved, executing well right up until the end can prove the difference, and with a Pakistan line up that can be exploited if the likes of Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez are dismissed relatively cheaply, New Zealand have a chance.

Possible XIs

Dream11

• Today is the day I feel Kane Williamson will score well. He is all class. He is my captain.

Stats and Facts

• Babar Azam needs 88 runs in next two innings to break Kohli’s record of fastest to 1000 runs in T20Is.

• Pakistan need one more win victory to have most wins in a calendar year in T20Is.

• Pakistan have defended four scores of 145-155 interval in a week.

Prediction