After an ODI series dominated by New Zealand, the Kiwis and Pakistan do battle in three T20 matches over the next week with the first of those coming from Wellington on Monday where the tourists will be looking to make their mark.
New Zealand won all five matches in the ODI series and did so with a fair bit in hand and they are the number one side in this format so Pakistan really have their work cut out to get anything from these three matches.
New Zealand
The remarkable thing about New Zealand being number one in this format is that a lot of the time, especially when they are at home, they rotate a number of their key players. They are doing that again in this series although the domestic T20 only recently finished so whoever comes in should be tuned up to the format.
One reason why New Zealand are so good in this format is the quality of their spin options and the other is the fearless way they go about their batting at the top of the order. That is never a bad combination and when you throw into the mix the skills their seamers have you can see why they are so tough to beat.
Pakistan
To be fair with the quality of the bowling attack and the overall options with the ball that Pakistan have they should be a really crack hot side in this format of the game. They sometimes get bogged down with the bat though which counts against them and if they are going to compete in these matches then it is imperative they get off to good starts with the bat.
You have to wonder what the confidence of the Pakistan side is like going into this contest after the beatings that they took in the ODI matches. The beauty of this format is that if a lack of confidence has shackled them a little bit then they can free themselves up and just have a swing. You get the feeling this is a big match for the morale of the tourists.
Team News
New Zealand have given Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson this opening match off so Ben Wheeler is likely to come back into the side. There is also expected to be places for Glenn Phillips and Tom Bruce too.
Pakistan will be without Shoaib Malik for this match but Hasan Ali is expected to be fit. Ahmed Shehzad has been called up for this series and should come into the side for this opening match.
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Betting
Hopefully Pakistan turn up with the bat in this match and if they do then we should get a really good contest given how well New Zealand are playing. I expect Pakistan to offer a lot more with the bat for two reasons. You can bat with more freedom in 20 over cricket and New Zealand are resting two key bowlers.
With that in mind I fancy we’ll see a number of sixes here. It is usually a good track at the Westpac and the straight boundaries are perfectly accessible. Even if Pakistan are not competitive in the match in terms of the margin in it you would think they can muscle a few over the ropes. New Zealand will so over 11.5 sixes is the one for me here.
Tips
Back Over 11.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with William Hill
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