New Zealand vs Pakistan Betting Tips – New-look teams start context-less series in Christchurch

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There is a distinct lack of context to this series as New Zealand and Pakistan go again for the fourth time in the space of a month. This time, the cricket moves to New Zealand for a white-ball tour that starts with the first T20I in Christchurch on Sunday.

New Zealand are coming into this series on the back of a terrific Champions Trophy, where they beat every opponent other than India. As a result, they finished as runners-up in a tournament not many would have given them the recognition they so clearly deserve.

Pakistan, on the other hand, went winless in a tournament they hosted. They were first properly beaten by New Zealand in the opener before a loss to India in Dubai meant they were the first team to be eliminated from the Champions Trophy.

New Zealand Form

New Zealand will field a very different team to the one that played in the Champions Trophy final. New Zealand have set this series as a look-ahead to the 2026 World T20, with new players like James Neesham, Tim Seifert and Tim Allen, who have been playing in domestic leagues around the world.

New Zealand Team News

Michael Bracewell will lead a new-look T20I squad that includes Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy and Bean Sears. Kyle Jamieson has been chosen to be part of the first three T20Is.

"Michael led the T20 side over in Pakistan last year in the series we had over there and it was quite a young and experienced side and we were really impressed with the way he led that group," selection manager Sam Wells said. "He sort of cemented himself in both white-ball teams as a really pivotal cog.

Pakistan Form

Pakistan will also field a new-look team that will be led by Salman Agha. Shadab Khan has returned to the team as vice-captain. Pakistan have dropped Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for the T20Is.

Pakistan Team News

There are several new players in the squad, including names like Abdul Samad, Irfan Niazi, Mohammad Ali and Hassan Nawaz.