Rain likely to hinder Pakistan-New Zealand T20I series

RAWALPINDI: The first three T20Is of the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand, scheduled to be played here on April 18, 20 and 21, are likely to be affected by rain.

According to weather forecasts, there could be heavy rain in Islamabad and Rawalpindi throughout this week, which may impact the upcoming series between Pakistan and New Zealand, especially the first three fixtures here on April 18, 20, and 21.

There are 60 per cent chance of rain, during the day and 80 per cent at night on April 18 when the first T20I shall be played.

The rain probability increases to 84 on April 20 before it significantly drops down to 20 per cent on April 21.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s inexperienced squad reached Islamabad on Sunday, whereas, the national team has also assembled at a local hotel in the capital.

Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the opening three T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand on 18, 20 and 21 April before action shifts to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium where the last two matches will be played on 25 and 27 April.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

New Zealand squad

Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi, Tom Blundell, Zak Foulkes.

Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series schedule

April 18 — 1st T20I, Rawalpindi

April 20 — 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi

April 21 — 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi

April 25 — 4th T20I, Lahore

April 27 — 5th T20I, Lahore

READ: New Zealand squad arrives in Pakistan for T20I series