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New Zealand Vs Pakistan 1st T20 Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview

New Zealand Vs Pakistan Prediction 1st T20

New Zealand Vs Pakistan (18/12/20) takes place at Eden Park on Friday, and here is our match preview with prediction for the 1st T20, the opening match of the tour.

New Zealand Vs Pakistan Betting Odds

Match Preview

  • New Zealand Vs Pakistan – 1st T20, 18th December 2020, played at Eden Park, Auckland.
  • This is the first fixture of a 3 match T20 series between the two nations. Following the T20 internationals will be 2 Test matches.
  • New Zealand are fresh from thrashing West India 2-0 in a Test series, both by an innings.
  • The Kiwis also beat the Windies 2-0 in a three match T20 series, with one match abandoned. So the hosts are in decent form.
  • Kane Williamson misses this match on paternity leave, but will be back – along with Trent Boult and Tim Southee – for the 2nd and 3rd matches.
  • New Zealand will be captained in the opening match by Mitchell Santner.
  • Pakistan have had a troubled build up to this match, mainly with Covid-19 issues.
  • This was further compounded by Babar Azam fracturing a thumb and being ruled out of the T20 series. Pakistan will be captained by Shadab Khan in Azam’s absence.
  • The bowling for the visitors is very strong, but the batting line up is a concern.
  • Prior to this series, Pakistan beat Zimabawe 3-0 in a T20 series at the start of November. They also drew 1-1 with England at the back end of the English summer.
  • A lot of Pakistan’s players have been competing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in November, so they will be match ready.
  • The smaller boundaries at Eden Park will mean running 2s is vitally important. The Kiwis will obviously be aware of this, but will Pakistan be on the ball?

New Zealand Vs Pakistan Prediction 18/12/20

With New Zealand resting their big guns for this one, I’m very tempted to go with Pakistan.

The only reservations I have about the tourists is rust, and the running between the wickets.

With the odds so heavily favoured towards the host though, I do think the visitors are worth a punt in this one.

Despite the huge blow of losing Babar Azam, I believe the lack of the main Kiwi stars makes Pakistan decent value.

Prediction – Pakistan to win @ 13/8 with Betfair

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