Pakistan beat New Zealand by two runs in the first Twenty20 game on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi was the venue for the first of the three T20Is between the two sides, which will be followed by three ODIs and three Tests.
Final scores: Pakistan win by two runs.
New Zealand: 146/6 in 20 overs
Pakistan: 148/8 in 20 overs
The match start time was 8:00 PM Local, 9:00 PM PST.
Match Summary!
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) October 31, 2018
Pakistan win by 2 runs,#PAKvNZ More: https://t.co/CTWM3n67Vz pic.twitter.com/hv9u5fBPUz
PTV Sports live streaming and TV details
PTV Sports will be live streaming the UAE series in Pakistan via its website.
Sky Go app and website will also stream the matches live for its subscribers in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. SonyLiv app and website will provide the live streaming in India, and it's subcontinent.
PTV Sports channel will broadcast the series live in Pakistan. Sky Sports NZ will telecast the series live in New Zealand.
Read: PTV Sports live cricket streaming Pakistan vs New Zealand 1st T20 at 9 PM Wednesday
Pakistan vs New Zealand series 2018 , live on PTV-Sports #GameOnHai#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/KP2XYSmtyd
— PTV Sports (@PTVSp0rts) October 31, 2018
A slow track to welcome the two teams
Pakistan has retained the same squad that defeated Australia 3-0 in the series in UAE which ended on Friday.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, Fakhar Zaman has not recovered from his knee injury and is likely to stay out of the series opener.
For his outstanding all-round performance, @MHafeez22 is the Man of the Match.#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/1Uq8PJJvfS
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) October 31, 2018
In this situation, Sahibzada Farhan will continue to open the innings with Babar Azam.
Pakistan is expected to stick to the same composition from the last T20I against Australia, but they might have to play only one between Usman Khan and Shaheen Afridi.
Regular New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has been ruled out of this tour due to a calf injury. Good performances in the CPL 2018 along with Guptill's injury has provided a great opportunity to Glenn Phillips to open the batting.
ESPN Cricinfo reported that Phillips would also keep wickets to give balance to the side. Corey Anderson will also be seen in the blackcaps jersey after some time having being recalled into the team for this tour.
The pitch in Abu Dhabi is known for being slow and difficult to score on. Australia was recently bowled out for 89 runs, which justifies the inabilities of visiting batsmen to adjust to the wicket. ESPN Cricinfo reported that dew might come into play as it will be night game. The forecast has predicted a cloudy evening with the temperatures staying around 27 degrees Celsius.
Also read: 5 places to watch the Pakistan vs Australia 2nd Test live online streaming
