NZ vs Pak 2nd T20 – New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson set to return for the second T20I against Pakistan: Ahead of the second T20I against Pakistan, New Zealand received a huge boost as their skipper Kane Williamson returned to nets after taking paternity leave. The 30-year-old missed the second-test against West Indies in Wellington to be at home in Tauranga with wife Sarah Raheem ahead of the arrival of their first child.
He also missed the first T20I against Pakistan on Friday as he was at home with his newborn daughter. However, Williamson has now linked back up with the team and is looking forward to a return for the second T20I on Sunday.
Look who’s back 👀👶
We couldn’t keep new father Kane Williamson away from the nets for long as he rejoins the T20 squad in Hamilton ahead of Sunday night’s 2nd T20I 👍#NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/D2LhtbA538— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2020
Meanwhile, New Zealand coach Gary Stead said he was delighted for his superstar batsman, who, despite looking a little lethargic, typically came into the nets and middled the ball well.
“He’s quite tired, a bit bleary-eyed, I think,” Stead said. “But overall, he’s hitting them well. Just normal Kane, gets about his business.”
New Zealand: Not only Williamson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson and Daryl Mitchell, who missed out the opener have also joined the squad.
Likely XI: Martin Guptill, Glenn Phillips, Kane Williamson (c), Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Jimmy Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult
Pakistan: Despite the loss, Pakistan are unlikely to make any major changes and would like to retain the XI.
Likely XI: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan (c), Khushdil Shah, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Notably, Williamson announced the birth of the couple’s daughter in an Instagram post on Wednesday night.
View this post on Instagram
NZ vs PAK 1st T20: Without Babar Azam Pakistan flops in first T20, New Zealand wins with ease by 5 wickets
New Zealand rode on a four-wicket haul by pacer Jacob Duffy and a half-century from wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert to beat Pakistan by five wickets in the first T20I at the Eden Park on Friday.
The Black Caps first restricted Pakistan to 153/9 and then chased down the target with seven balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Earlier, opting to bat, the Shadab Khan-led side had a horrible start as they lost five wickets for 39 within the first nine overs. However, Shadab’s 42 off 32 and a 31-run inning by Faheem Ashraf helped Pakistan breach the 150-run mark.
Imad Wasim (19), wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan (17) and Khushdil Shah (16) made other notable contributions.
For the hosts, Duffy returned with figures of 4/33 in his four overs while Scott Kuggeleijn picked three wickets conceding 27 runs.
For the hosts, Duffy returned with figures of 4/33 in his four overs while Scott Kuggeleijn picked three wickets conceding 27 runs.
The hosts also did not have a great start to their chase as they lost Martin Guptill (6) and Devon Conway (5) within the first four overs. However, Seifert, who opened the innings, kept scoring runs and stitched a 44-run partnership with Glenn Phillips (23) before the latter got out. Mark Chapman (34) then contributed with 45 runs with Seifert.
Seifert, after reaching his 50-run mark, got out with New Zealand still needing 44 runs in 32 balls.
James Neesham (15) and captain Mitchell Santner (12) then took the team home in the penultimate over of the match.
The two teams will now face each other in the second match at the Seddon Park, Hamilton on Sunday.