New Zealand expect sterner test from Pakistan ahead of T20I series

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New Zealand will take on Pakistan in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) of the three-match series in Auckland on Friday.

The Black Caps bowling coach Shane Jurgensen is adamant that Pakistan would be up for the challenge despite injury to skipper Babar Azam.

“I know they worked very hard back in Pakistan before they came here, and they're experienced,” Jurgensen was quoted as saying by RNZ.  

“When you've got that experience, you know what you've got to do very specifically,” he added. “Yeah it's been unfortunate [Babar Azam injury] for them but at the same time, we certainly won't be taking them any lighter than we would be any other opposition.”

Meanwhile, Head Coach Gary Stead expected Pakistan to provide a sterner test than the West Indies.

“They have a very good balance. They've got good pace bowlers, left-armers, right-armers and a world class legspinner as well, and they've got some very exciting batsman,” said Stead.

Pakistan’s all-rounder Imad Wasim said, despite a tough first three weeks on Kiwi soil, they were good to go.

“We've played a couple of practice games in the last week and a couple of hard training sessions,” said Wasim.

“Obviously international cricket is really hard but most of the guys have been through this and they know how to get themselves up and pick themselves up for the international games,” he added.

The second and third match of the series will be played on December 20 and 22 in Hamilton and Napier, respectively.

Pakistan squad:

Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Wahab Riaz.

New Zealand squads:

1st match - Mitchell Santner (captain), Todd Astle, Doug Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner.

2nd & 3rd match - Kane Williamson (captain), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.