Twenty20 Series Preview - New Zealand v Pakistan
The series between New Zealand and Pakistan is of extreme importance for both the Green Shirts and the Black Caps, as these two teams are looking to revive themselves before the ICC World Cup, which is going to kick-off in February 2011.
The series officially starts from 26 December with the 1st of three Twenty20 Internationals at Auckland, and the Kiwis have rested captain Daniel Vettori for the Twenty20 series. On the other hand, Pakistan are former
Twenty20 champions, and rated as one of the best teams in the shortest format of the game.
The home team has had a couple of very harsh months of late in international cricket, as they were whitewashed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750. New Zealand cricket is facing its worst period in the last few decades. Although New Zealand has never been one of the
best sides in international cricket, but they have always been rated as under-dogs in the major ICC events. It has been a team which has reached the semi-final stages of World Cups and the Champions Trophy on a number of occasions, and won the ICC Champions
Trophy in 2002.
The Kiwis will be hoping that the likes of Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915, Jesse Ryder, James Franklin and Martin Guptill can raise their game, and play up to their potential against the Green Shirts. Historically the Kiwis have not done that well against Pakistan, but a series
win this time round may prove to be critical if the Black Caps are to do well in the upcoming World Cup. New Zealand are going to try some youngsters like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Luke-Woodcock-c1860 and Adam Milne in the Twenty20 series. However an injury to their premier
player, Brendon McCullum is going to hurt http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 badly, as he has a tremendous record in the Twenty20 format.
Pakistan has also had one of its worst years in its cricketing history, which has damaged its reputation as one of the most dangerous teams in international cricket. However even after all the controversies that have surrounded Pakistan cricket in 2010,
they are still an extremely dangerous team, who can beat any side on its day. Pakistan are without their premier Twenty20 players like Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and Muhammad Aamer, but still have a lot of fire-power in the batting department.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 is all set to open the innings in the Twenty20's, which
might prove to be a very good decision, as he has to lead Pakistan from the front if they are to do well on the tour.
Pakistan’s top-order is pretty young and inexperienced in the shape of Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq and Fawad Alam. However all of them have the potential to deliver the goods at the international stage.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s bowling will be led by Umar Gul, who is rated as the best bowler in the shortest format of the sport. He will have the support of Shoaib Akhtar, Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq in the seam bowling department. Whereas Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and
Abdur Rehman give a lot of strength to the spin bowling of Pakistan.
Pakistan are going to start as clear favorites in the Twenty20 series even though they lost their tour game against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Auckland-c766. The Twenty20 series might set the tone of the series, and both the teams will be looking to gain the advantage upfront in the series.
The un-predictability factor lies with both the teams so we should keep our fingers crossed, and let’s hope that an exciting series awaits us.
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