Rawalpindi (Web Desk/Agencies): The opener of the five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand was called off due to rain at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi on Thursday.
The toss, which originally scheduled at 7:00pm, was postponed by half an hour due to continuous rain showers in Rawalpindi.
Earlier, after winning the toss, New Zealand Skipper Michael Bracewell chose to bat first. But the game which was reduced to five overs per side was called off, with just two balls bowled, due to repeated showers in Rawalpindi.
The highlight of the two-ball game, was Pakistani pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi who dismissed New Zealand’s Tim Robinson on the second ball with an incredible delivery.
As the Pakistani players were celebrating the wicket, the rain returned and match was called off by the umpires.
Meanwhile, Pakistan handed debut caps to three players – Usman Khan, Irfan Khan and Abrar Ahmed. New Zealand introduced Josh Clarkson to their squad, marking his debut appearance.
As per the schedule, the second and third matches of the five-match series, will also be played at the same venue (Pindi Stadium) on April 20 and 21.
The fourth match of the series will be played on April 25 while the fifth on April 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
This would be the third five-match series between both sides inside a 12-month period. Last year, Pakistan and New Zealand drew the series at two-all in Pakistan, while New Zealand clinched the series 4-1 earlier this year in their backyard.
So far, 39 T20 International matches have been played between Pakistan and New Zealand in which New Zealand won 17 matches and lost 21, while one match ended without a result.
Pakistan’s highest score against New Zealand in a T20 International was 201 runs for the loss of 4 wickets which was scored by Pakistan on January 25, 2018 at Auckland.
New Zealand’s highest score against Pakistan was 226 runs for 8 wickets on January 12, 2024 at Auckland ground.
Teams
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed.
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, James Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi.