NZ vs PAK: 5 Players to watch out for in Pakistan-New Zealand T20I series

Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand will kick start with a three-match T20I series starting on December 18th. Pakistan will be hoping to improve their record against top sides ahead of the T20 World Cup next year. New Zealand is set to field a near full-strength team at least for the last two matches under Kane Williamson’s captaincy. Mitchell Santner will be leading the hosts in the first T20I as the players from West Indies Test series will be getting some rest. Here are five players to look out for during the 3-match T20I series between New Zealand and Pakistan:

Trent Boult:

Trent Boult was in tremendous form with the ball during the IPL, especially with his new-ball spells. Boult will be hoping to continue that form against Pakistan as he will play his first T20I in more than one year. The left-arm pacer hasn’t been a regular feature to New Zealand’s T20I side as he played only two T20Is in more than 30 months.

Shaheen Shah Afridi:

Shaheen Shah Afridi at it again ⚡

The youngster has picked up his second five-wicket haul in three matches!#NationalT20Cuppic.twitter.com/SBGHlmGW9z

— ICC (@ICC) October 2, 2020

Shaheen Shah Afridi has proved his worth with the ball in the limited-overs cricket of late. His wicket-taking ability in the last couple of years has been at peak and perfectly suits the T20 format. Shaheen’s left-arm angle does not allow the batters to get going in the powerplay and his pace backed by accuracy makes it even tough at death. He could possess a threat to many New Zealand batsmen in the series.

Kane Williamson:

Kane Williamson will be playing the last two matches of this T20I series. His batting was like a dream during the IPL 2020 where he excelled in almost every possible role in the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting line-up. Before taking paternity leave, Williamson smashed his highest Test score. In current form, it will be quite tough for Pakistan to stop this classy Kiwi batsman.

Shadab Khan:

With the regular captain, Babar Azam ruled out of the series due to a thumb injury, leg-spin all-rounder Shadab Khan shall lead the side. The 22-year old shall be leading the national side for the first time. Shadab has represented Pakistan in 43 T20Is and has 53 wickets to his name. He is yet to make a significant contribution with the bat and shall be aiming the same in the upcoming series.

Kyle Jamieson:

Kyle Jamieson was named Gillette Player of the Test Series against @windiescricket. Jamieson took 11 wickets at an average of 13.09 during the series. @sumostevenson loving his work on @sparknzsport #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/Iw2kiyuDaJ

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 14, 2020

Kyle Jamieson made his T20I debut during the series against West Indies at home last month. Jamieson picked two wickets in the two matches he got to play that too at an economy rate under six. Jamieson has an impressive bowling record when it comes to T20s as he took 48 wickets from only 31 matches and will be hopeful about replicating the same in T20Is.