Match dates, times, squads, TV and streaming information, and more ahead of the five-match T20I series
Pakistan are hosting New Zealand for a five-match T20I series.
The first three matches will be held in Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium before the series moves to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
First T20I: Friday, April 14 – Lahore (7pm local time, 3pm GMT)
Second T20I: Saturday, April 15 Lahore (7pm local time, 3pm GMT)
Third T20I: Monday, April 17 – Lahore (7pm local time, 3pm GMT)
Fourth T20I: Thursday, April 20 – Rawalpindi (7pm local time, 3pm GMT)
Fifth T20I: Monday, April 24 – Rawalpindi (7pm local time, 3pm GMT)
Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to return for Pakistan [Mark Kolbe/Getty Images]
This series was originally set to played in September 2021 but was postponed due to security concerns within the New Zealand camp. A three-match ODI series in preparation for the 2023 Cricket World Cup will follow this series.
Pakistan and New Zealand have met in 29 T20Is, with Pakistan leading the head-to-head 18-11. The most recent meeting between the two sides was in the semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup, with Pakistan completing a seven-wicket win.
New Zealand have never played a T20I in Pakistan.
After recovering from a knee injury, Shaheen Shah Afridi is in line for his first white-ball international since the T20 World Cup final. He comes into the series in hot form after taking 19 wickets in the PSL and captaining Lahore Qalandars to the title.
Captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf also return after being rested for a three-match series against Afghanistan in March – Pakistan lost the series 2-1.
Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub and Zaman Khan have been retained in the squad after impressing in the PSL and against Afghanistan. The former was the standout performer during the latter series, taking six wickets.
New Zealand will be without several big players due to the IPL [James Allen/Getty Images]
Tom Latham will captain a New Zealand side missing several big names due to a clash with the IPL. Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, and Lockie Ferguson are all currently in India.
Dane Cleaver, Cole McConchie, and Blair Tickner have earned spots in the squad after impressing on New Zealand’s domestic circuit but Tim Seifert misses out as he and his wife await the birth of their first child.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zaman Khan
New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Shipley, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Dane Cleaver, Adam Milne, Benjamin Lister, Blair Ticker, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry
Fans in the UK can watch all five matches on Sky Sports via Sky Sports Main Event (Sky 401/Virgin 501) and Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404/Virgin 504).
In New Zealand, the series will be shown by Sky Sport NZ while in Pakistan, PTV Sports have the broadcast rights.
In India, the series will be available via the Sony network while Etisalat is the place to go in MENA regions.
Flow Sports and Willow TV have the rights in the Caribbean and USA, respectively.
The series will be shown on Foxtel in Australia and on SuperSport in South Africa.
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