Cricket Betting Tips and Fantasy Cricket Match Predictions: New Zealand vs Pakistan 2020-21 - 1st Test

The 1st Test of the two-match series between New Zealand and Pakistan will be played at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui in New Zealand. 

LIVE - New Zealand vs Pakistan, 1st Test

New Zealand have been sensational in their home conditions and clean swept both India and West Indies in their last two test series on home soil. They will have a big chance of meeting out the same treatment to Pakistan and making it to the final of the World Test Championship.

Captain Kane Williamson will be back for New Zealand and will slot and at number 3 in place of Will Young. Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult will be the four pace bowlers for New Zealand and will get the company of pace bowling all-rounder Daryl Mitchell.

New Zealand have been going with an all-pace attack over the last few test matches which has been a very successful formula for them. The team thus has no reason to change.

Pakistan will welcome back test openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali, with Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail and Fawad Alam forming their middle order. Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah will form their pace attack.

In the absence of Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf is likely to play as the all-rounder after he performed well in the T20Is.

If Pakistan succeed in beating New Zealand in the home conditions of the Kiwis and with the red ball, it will be nothing short of an upset.

  Let's have a look at the probable playing XI of both teams:

New Zealand - Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult

Pakistan - Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Fawad Alam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah

 

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* - PrePlay

Who will win the toss? - New Zealand

Who will win? – New Zealand

Top Batsman (Runs Scored) – Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Shan Masood (Pakistan)

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Tim Southee (New Zealand), Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

Most Sixes – Ross Taylor (New Zealand), Faheem Ashraf (Pakistan)

Man of the Match –  Kane Williamson

Team Scores Batting first – New Zealand 300+, Pakistan 180+

 Match Handicap New Zealand 

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*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In–Play’ features, so stay tuned.

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