The New Zealand cricket team will be wary of an upbeat Pakistan side when they open their ICC men’s T20 World Cup campaign with a Super 12 stage group 2 match. The match will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

For Pakistan, in terms of the last month’s pull-out fiasco, they will be looking for redemption. After a solid 10-wicket victory over arch-rivals India in their campaign opener, they will be hoping for a repeat performance and show the Kane Williamson-led team who’s boss.

Had New Zealand not abandoned its tour of Pakistan at the last moment, both the sides would be playing its 6th T20I match, instead they will be playing their first in 308 days.

With only hours to go for the match, here’s a quick look at the stats.

Head-to-head

In this contest, Pakistan leads New Zealand 14-10. Having not lost a match at the venue for the last 7 times, the Babar Azam-led team would be keen on extending their run. In the UAE, the Black Caps have faced defeat in six of the seven T20Is they have played against Pakistan in the UAE.

The last meeting

In a dead rubber, Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan‘s 59-ball 89 guided his team to a win in Napier.

Stat attack

-Pakistan openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have recorded three 150+ stands in 2021 alone

-Dating back to 2016, Pakistan have won each of their last 12 matches in UAE.

-Martin Guptill averages only 19.53 in his 41 innings in Asia. His strike-rate in the region also sits low at 119.2.

Ahead of the match comments

“We had a meeting earlier where we highlighted the importance of really staying grounded. Last night was a massive win for all boys, make no mistake about it, but we’ve also got a tournament obviously at hand and the boys will stay focused. Today’s talk was really about putting last night behind us and focus on what’s obviously to come tomorrow. Tomorrow’s going to be another big game. And hopefully the boys will reset and be ready and focused for tomorrow,” said Vernon Philander, Pakistan bowling coach.

“I think Pakistan have come to the T20 World Cup full of confidence, having played in these conditions more than most. They certainly put it on show last night and showed why they’re one of the favourites in the competition,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said.

Squads:

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Kane Williamson(c), Tim Seifert(w), Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Todd Astle, Kyle Jamieson, Mark Chapman, James Neesham

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Haider Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Nawaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed