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NZ 134/8, 20 overs - Conway 27, Mitchell 27
PAK 135/5, 18.4 overs - Malik 27*, Asif 27*
6:27am - PAKISTAN WIN BY FIVE WICKETS
Boult to bowl his last. Nine needed from 12 balls for Pakistan.
18.1 - Malik on strike, and he swings the ball out to midwicket for one.
18.2 - Another delay as Asif is checked for concussion. He looks alright to continue though, as he re-takes guard. Full from Boult, he hits the pads and keeps Asif grounded in the search for a leg bye.
18.3 - Short from Boult, and Asif pulls over midwicket for six more!
18.4 - That's it! Asif drives out to cover for two, and the batsmen get back for the winning runs.
6:20am - 18th over, 15 runs
Slight delay while Asif is checked for concussion. Santner comes back for his last over. Pakistan need 24 runs from 18 balls.
17.1 - Malik cuts, and he beats point for four!
17.2 - Straight from Santner, and Malik goes back to work two out into the leg side. Pakistan need 18 from 16.
17.3 - SIX! That could be that. Malik runs down the wicket and sends Santner into orbit for six. The equation is now 12 needed from 15.
17.4 - Straight again, and Malik just takes one run down to long on.
17.5 - Asif on strike, and he pushes for two into leg. Pakistan need nine from 13 to win.
17.6 - Dot ball to finish, as Asif defends to cover.
6:14am - 17th over, 13 runs
Williamson shows his hand, as Southee comes on to bowl his last.
16.1 - Slower ball to start from Southee, and Malik gets one out to point.
16.2 - Asif faces. Slower ball from Southee, and Asif goes over long-off for six!
16.3 - Asif goes again, and gets six more! Another slower ball from Southee, but Asif's too strong.
16.4 - Straight from Southee, and hits Asif's pads. Appeal for lbw, but not out is the decision. Williamson refers. But the ball's going over the top.
16.5 - Swing and a miss from Asif.
16.6 - Short ball to finish from Southee, and Asif pulls straight onto his helmet. Ouch.
6:09am - 16th over, seven runs
Sodhi to bowl his last.
15.1 - Malik on strike, and he gets one into the leg side.
15.2 - Asif faces Sodhi. He dabs one to point for a single.
15.3 - Malik runs at Sodhi, but drives to the man fielding at short cover. No run.
15.4 - Malik looks to slog-sweep, but he's hit on the pad outside leg. No run.
15.5 - Malik runs at Sodhi again, and he belts the ball down to long-on for four past a wide Santner!
15.6 - Last ball from Sodhi. And he hits the pad again as Malik looks to sweep, the batsmen run a leg bye.
6:06am - 15th over, nine runs, one wicket.
Boult comes back for his third over.
14.1 - Full to start at Malik, who drives but can't beat cover. No run.
14.2 - Malik late cuts to third man, and steals a single.
14.3 - Imad looks for the switch hit, so Boult bowls one down leg. It can't be called wide because Imad changed his grip. Clever from Boult. No run.
14.4 - Short from Boult, but there's no pace in the pitch, so Imad goes back and slaps four over cover!
14.5 - WICKET! Full from Boult, and Wasim looks to scoop, but he misses and he's hit on the knee. The Blackcaps appeal for lbw, and get it. Imad limps off - the ball hit his knee where there's no padding. Imad goes for 11, Asif Ali is the new batter.
14.6 - Boult comes around the wicket, and Ali steers him behind point for four to start!
Pakistan need 44 runs from the last five overs.
5:59am - 14th over, seven runs
Sodhi to Imad.
13.1 - Outside off to start the over, Imad smacks one out to deep cover for one.
13.2 - Shorter from Sodhi, Malik goes back to hit one out to long-on.
13.3 - Imad looks to reverse sweep, but he's hit on the pad. No run.
13.4 - Full from Sodhi, and Imad clubs a single down to long-off.
13.5 - Straight from Sodhi, and Malik glances for one out to Phillips at midwicket.
13.6 - Wide down leg from Sodhi, Seifert can't gather and the batters run one.
13.6 - Malik cuts, but sub fielder Mark Chapman gets down to save the boundary.
5:55am - 13th over, five runs
Neesham stays on.
12.1 - Imad runs at the bowler and lofts, but doesn't get it all. The batters can run two to long-off.
12.2 - Imad drives out to point for a single.
12.3 - Malik on strike. He pushes one to mid-off, but can't get a run.
12.4 - Malik drives, and gets an inside edge onto his pad, taking a single into the off side.
12.5 - Imad faces. Neesham goes down leg, and there's a noise through to Seifert, but the umpire says no. Good decision, the ball came offf the pad.
12.6 - Imad drives, and Southee saves a boundary at wide mid-off.
5:50am - 12th over, seven runs, one wicket
Sodhi continues, Shoaib Malik will face straight away.
11.1 - Full and straight, and Malik defends with the full face of the bat to start.
11.2 - Malik goes back and gets a single to point.
11.3 - Trash from Sodhi, he sends down a half-tracker and Rizwan goes back to pull to long-on for four.
11.4 - Goes wide next ball, and he'll have to bowl that again.
11.4 - WICKET! He's got him! That's the big one! Sodhi skids one on, and traps Rizwan in front lbw. Rizwan doesn't even review, and he goes for 33. Imad Wasim is promoted up to No. 6.
11.5 - Imad to face. On the pads first up, and he turns to leg, but Sodhi fields it himself to save the run.
11.6 - Full and on the toe, the batters run a leg bye.
5:44am - 11th over, 5 runs, one wicket
Santner into the attack. Rizwan on strike.
10.1 - Rizwan defends into the off side, and steals one.
10.2 - Hafeez faces. He goes back and turns Santner around the corner for one.
10.3 - Rizwan looks to sweep from outside off, and gets a single to square leg.
10.4 - Hafeez goes back and punches one out to deep cover.
10.5 - Rizwan cuts and gets one out to deep point.
10.6 - WICKET! What a catch! Hafeez runs down the wicket last ball and looks for six over cover - but Conway dives full length and hauls it in! Hafeez goes for 11, Shoaib Malik the new batter.
5:37am - 10th over, 11 runs
Neesham carries on. Rizwan on strike.
9.1 - Beaten! Great ball from Neesham outside off, and Rizwan has no idea. Dot ball.
9.2 - Straight from Neesham, Rizwan pushes to leg and wants two, but he's sent back by Hafeez. One run.
9.3 - Hafeez to face his first ball, and he clubs Neesham for six over cover!
9.4 - Full to Neesham to come back, and Hafeez pushes down the ground for one.
9.5 - Rizwan on strike, and he glances into leg for one more.
9.6 - Hafeez to face the last ball, and he chips over the leg side for two.
That'll be drinks.
5:32am - 9th over, eight runs, one wicket
Sodhi into the attack. Fakhar on strike.
8.1 - Outside edge from Fakhar first ball. No run.
8.2 - Reverse sweep from Fakhar, but can't beat the man.
8.3 - Six! Fakhar gets this one though, that's huge! The left hander wallops this one over midwicket for six!
8.4 - Sodhi attacks the pads to follow up. Fakhar gets one to midwicket.
8.5 - Rizwan on strike. He drives out to cover for one.
8.6 - WICKET! Huge appeal from Sodhi, as Fakhar squeezes one onto his pad. The batters steal an overthrow. Williamson refers the decision though, was it pad first? It was pad first! Is it hitting the stumps? It is! Three reds, and Fakhar's gotta go! He's out for 11, Mohammad Hafeez is the new batter.
5:27am - 8th over, three runs
Neesham comes on to bowl. Fakhar on strike.
7.1 - Short to start from Neesham. Fakhar pulls to fine leg for one.
7.2 - Full to Rizwan, who's struck on the pad and runs a leg bye.
7.3 - Fakhar runs down the wicket at Neesham, but misses the ball completely.
7.4 - Full from Neesham, and Fakhar checks his drive to cover. No run.
7.5 - Full and wide to follow. Fakhar looks for a huge drive, but misses.
7.6 - Full to finish, and Fakhar pushes a single to long-on.
5:22am - 7th over, six runs
Santner's back, Rizwan faces.
6.1 - Full from Santner and on Rizwan's pads. No run.
6.2 - Rizwan sweeps, doesn't get all of it, but gets enough bat to earn four down to fine leg.
6.3 - Santner tosses the ball up, and Rizwan gets one to wide mid-on.
6.4 - Fakhar faces up, leftie v leftie. Santner stays around the wicket, Fakhar defends and tries to steal one, but he's sent back.
6.5 - Same ball again from Santner, same result. No run.
6.6 - Straighter from Santner, and Fakhar turns to midwicket for one.
5:18am - 6th over, two runs one wicket
Southee for his third. Babar on strike.
5.1 - WICKET! There we go! Southee goes to his off cutter, and Babar's beaten, missing a straight one and losing his stumps! Babar goes for nine, Fakhar Zaman is the new batsman. That was Southee's 100th T20 International wicket.
5.2 - Southee comes around the wicket, and Fakhar drives straight back past him first ball for one.
5.3 - Rizwan on strike, Southee goes short and is pulled for one.
5.4 - Fakhar back on strike, and he swings at a wide ball, no foot movement. He can't connect, no run.
5.5 - Southee hits Fakhar on the pad, no run through to Seifert.
5.6 - Fakhar punches the final ball of the over to point, no run.
5:12am - 5th over, six runs
Boult continues to Rizwan.
4.1 - Short to start, Rizwan cuts for four through point.
4.2 - Good comeback from Boult, Rizwan is hit on the pad, but it's too high.
4.3 - Short again, Rizwan pulls to Guptill at short midwicket.
4.4 - Short, Rizwan pulls a single to fine leg again.
4.5 - Fuller from Boult, no timing from Babar, hit straight back to the bowler.
4.6 - Single to finish as Babar gets one to point.
5:08am: 4th over, eight runs
Southee to Babar.
3.1 - Shortish, Babar works to Guptill at short midwicket. No run.
3.2 - Short again, Babar pulls out to Neesham at deep square leg.
3.3 - The ball keeps low, Rizwan can't beat Guptill. No run.
3.4 - Short, and Rizwan pulls for four more down to fine leg.
3.5 - Short once more, Rizwan pulls to Boult at fine leg for one.
3.6 - Babar to face the last ball. Short, he pulls and Guptill gets a hand to the ball to save the boundary, but the batters run two.
5:05am - 3rd over, five runs
Boult takes the ball from Santner. Bowling to Rizwan. Can he find some swing.
2.1 - Short to start from Boult, and Rizwan has no issue pulling him for four through midwicket!
2.2 - Full from Boult to follow, Rizwan drives to straight cover.
2.3 - Down leg, Rizwan looks to pull, but misses, huge appeal from Boult, but the wide is called.
2.3 - Rizwan looks for a single behind point, but Phillips' fielding keeps him at the striker's end.
2.4 - Same ball, same result. No run.
2.5 - Rizwan looks to sweep, but can't connect as the ball hits his pad on the way through to Seifert.
2.6 - Short again, Rizwan looks to pull, and he's been hit in the privates. Ouch.
5:00am - 2nd over, two runs
Southee takes the new ball from the other end.
1.1 - Rizwan faces. The ball keeps low, as Rizwan defends to midwicket.
1.2 - Another dot as Rizwan can't get the ball away.
1.3 - Wide down leg from Southee, he'll have to bowl that again.
1.3 - Shorter from Southee, Rizwan can't beat Guptill at short midwicket.
1.4 - Short again from Southee, Rizwan pulls for one down to fine leg.
1.5 - Fuller to Babar, who again works to Guptill inside the circle.
1.6 - The ball skids on, Babar is hit on the back pad, but too high to be lbw.
4:55am - 1st over, seven runs
Well, well well. Santner will open up for the Blackcaps, Rizwan on strike.
0.1 - Full to start from Santner, Rizwan works to short midwicket, no run.
0.2 - Rizwan opens Pakistan's account, as he works Santner down to long-on for one.
0.3 - Babar faces his first, and he lofts Santner over cover for four!
0.4 - Flat from Santner, and Babar turns into leg for one.
0.5 - Full at Rizwan, and he pushes into leg for one more.
0.6 - Full from Santner to finish, Babar drives to short cover, no run.
4:50am
We're all ready for Pakistan's chase. Pakistan's opening pair of Mohammad Rizwan and captain Babar Azam make their way to the middle.
Who'll have first use of the ball for the Blackcaps?
4:43am
Well, that wasn't ideal for the Blackcaps. But they've at least got some total to try and defend in what appears to be pretty tricky batting conditions.
We'll be back shortly with Pakistan's chase.
4:42am - 20th over, nine runs, one wicket
Apologies, Sodhi is the new man, he faces up to Haris.
19.1 - Sodhi gets one to third man to start the final over.
19.2 - Santner lofts the ball to mid-on, where Babar drops him! The batters run back for two!
19.3 - Slower ball to follow up from Haris, but Sodhi runs through for a bye.
19.4 - Short and outside off, Sodhi slaps the ball out to point for one.
19.5 - Santner backs away and hammers the ball out to the cover boundary for four!
19.6 - WICKET! Last ball, what can Santner do? He loses his stumps, that's what.
The Blackcaps see out their 20 overs with 134/8 - Pakistan will need 135 for victory.
4:37am - 19th over, four runs, one wicket
Shaheen carries on for his last over. Seifert marks his guard.
18.1 - Huge swing from Seifert, can't connect.
18.2 - Yorker slams into Seifert's toes, no run. Pakistan review. Shambolic decision, he's standing outside leg stump.
18.3 - Seifert connects with this one, but doesn't get it all. The ball drops short of the fielder running in from the midwicket fence, and the bastmen get one.
18.4 - Santner to face his first ball. He's hit on the toes too, but they run a leg bye.
18.5 - Shot! Seifert gets down on one knee, and scoops Shaheen to the fine leg fence for four!
18.6 - WICKET! But Shaheen has the last laugh! A slower ball is sliced by Seifert, straight to the man at short third man. Seifert goes for eight, Tim Southee is the new batsman.
4:30am - 18th over, three runs, two wickets
Haris carries on. Conway on strike.
17.1 - WICKET! Conway lofts the ball, but only into the hands of Babar down on the long-on boundary! Conway goes for 27, Tim Seifert comes in at No. 7.
17.2 - Phillips on strike, he plays and misses.
17.3 - WICKET! And now Phillips goes! He rocks back and pulls the ball straight to the man at midwicket! Phillips goes for 13, Mitchell Santner is the new batsman.
17.4 - Seifert faces his first ball, and clips Haris into midwicket for two.
17.5 - Seifert defends.
17.6 - Seifert pushes the ball to long-on for one.
4:23am - 17th over, nine runs
Shaheen comes back, two overs up his sleeve. Conway facing.
16.1 - Conway works into mid-on, looks for two but settles for one.
16.2 - Slower ball from Shaeen, Phillips can't time it, but Conway sprints through for one.
16.3 - Full toss from Shaheen, Conway can't time it and takes one to square leg.
16.4 - Full on leg, Phillips scoops out to square leg for one.
16.5 - Yorker from Shaheen, Conway gets an inside edge to short fine leg for one.
16.6 - Full to finish, and Phillips muscles the ball through mid-off for four!
4:14am - 16th over, seven runs
Five overs to go, how many can the Blackcaps get? Hasan continues.
15.1 - Full ball to start, Conway pushes to mid-on for one.
15.2 - Phillips lofts down the ground, but only gets one to long on.
15.3 - Conway advances and drives out to cover-point for one more.
15.4 - Yorker. Phillips pushes to mid-on for one.
15.5 - Conway turns out to midwicket for one.
15.6 - Phillips shovels to wide long on for two.
4:13am - 15th over, five runs
Haris returns. What can these two do with his extra pace?
14.1 - Conway faces up. And turns him to mid-on for one.
14.2 - Phillips whips a yorker to midwicket for one more.
14.3 - Conway turns to midwicket for one, Phillips is nearly run out at the striker's end, but gets back.
14.4 - Short and wide, but there's no carry as Phillips gets one to mid-on.
14.5 - Another ball turned into leg by Conway, brings up the NZ 100.
14.6 - Short from Haris to finish, Phillips can't connect with his pull shot. Dot ball.
4:08am - 14th over, five runs
Hasan Ali returns, his first over went for 15. Williamson on strike.
13.1 - WICKET! Short and wide, Williamson cuts but can't time it. Hasan throws down the stumps, but has Williamson made it back? He hasn't! Williamson's run out for 25, Glenn Phillips replaces him.
13.2 - Phillips to face his first, and defends.
13.3 - Phillips advances, and he's hit on the pad. Appeal for lbw, but the batter was a long way down the track. Not out the call.
13.4 - No timing from Phillips, but he gets a single to square leg.
13.5 - Conway on strike, and he gets one to short fine leg. Another no ball from Hasan though, so Phillips will have a free hit.
13.5 - Phillips pulls to deep backward square for one.
13.6 - Conway works one to midwicket for one.
4:00am - 13th over, 15 runs
Shadab continues.
12.1 - Williamson runs the ball to third man for a single.
12.2 - Conway reverse sweeps, no run to third man.
12.3 - Conway goes back and works out to long on for two.
12.4 - Conway sweeps, and there's a misfield out in the deep from Asif Ali - four runs!
12.5 - Conway sweeps again, gets all of it, and that's four more!
12.6 - Reverse sweeps now, and this time he beats third man for three straight boundaries!
3:57am - 12th, 12 runs
Hafeez continues.
11.1 - No run as Conway can't time his shot.
11.2 - Conway sweeps, can't beat short fine leg, but gets a single.
11.3 - Williamson looks to reverse sweep, but he's hit on the pad and given! He reviews straight away though. And that's why, he's hit the ball straight onto his pad. Decision overturned.
11.4 - And Williamson rubs salt into the wound by pulling Hafeez out to midwicket for four!
11.5 - Even better! Williamson runs down the wicket, and clobbers the ball over long on for a one-handed six!
11.6 - One run to finish as Williamson reverse sweeps to third man.
3:52am - 11th over, three runs
Shadab changes ends.
10.1 - Conway reverse sweeps a full toss, but can't beat third man.
10.2 - Conway turns the ball to short fine leg for one.
10.3 - Rare play and miss from Williamson.
10.4 - Williamson sweeps out to deep square leg for a single.
10.5 - Conway defends to leg, no run.
10.6 - Conway sweeps, but can't connect, as Williamson calls him through for a leg bye.
3:48am - 10th over, four runs, one wicket
Mohammad Hafeez into the attack, bowling to Neesham.
9.1 - WICKET! And he gets him first ball! Neesham swings one out to the leg side fence, and finds the hands of Fakhar Zaman as the only man on the rope. Neesham out for one, Devon Conway replaces him in the middle.
9.2 - Williamson on strike after the wicket. Goes back and punches off the back foot out to the cover boundary for two runs.
9.3 - Williamson defends, looks for the single, but can't get it.
9.4 - Williamson punches down to long on for one.
9.5 - Conway faces his first, and works one into midwicket for a single.
9.6 - Williamson can't beat the bowler, dot ball to finish.
3:41am - 9th over, eight runs
Imad to bowl his last.
8.1 - And Mitchell goes down the ground! Hints that he didn't get all of it, but beats a diving Shaheen for six runs!
8.2 - WICKET! Goes for the repeat, but doesn't get this one, and he's caught on the long-on boundary! Mitchell goes for 27. Jimmy Neesham is promoted as the new batsman.
8.3 - Williamson on strike, and nearly cuts it out of the keeper's gloves. No run.
8.4 - Williamson goes back and drives out to the man on the point boundary for one.
8.5 - Neesham faces his first, and gets a single to point.
8.6 - Too close for Williamson to cut last ball, no run.
3:36am - 8th over, three runs
Shadab Khan enters the attack, bowling his leggies to two right handers. Mitchell on strike.
7.1 - Mitchell's hit on the pads first ball, slight appeal, but clearly missing leg stump. They run a leg bye.
7.2 - Williamson drives a full toss straight to cover. No run.
7.3 - Williamson goes back and looks for one to third man, but can't get the single.
7.4 - Williamson goes back again, and clips Shadab out to long on for two.
7.5 - Williamson defends to point, no run.
7.6 - Williamson defends to point again for no run to finish.
3:32am - 7th over, three runs
Wasim returns, Mitchell facing.
6.1 - On the pads, Mitchell works to midwicket for one.
6.2 - Williamson goes back and turns a single to leg, effortless.
6.3 - Mitchell defends a straight ball, no run.
6.4 - Mitchell clips a single out to deep long-on.
6.5 - Williamson goes back to cut, but can't time the shot.
6.6 - Tight from Imad, Williamson cuts again but can't beat point.
Three runs scored.
3:29am - 6th over, six runs, one wicket
Haris Rauf into the attack, Pakistan's fastest bowler.
5.1 - Yorker to start, and it's too quick for Guptill! Hits him on the boot outside leg. No run.
5.2 - WICKET! Guptill gives the charge, and the ball deflects off his pad and back onto the stumps. Guptill departs for 17. Captain Williamson is the new batsman.
5.3 - Williamson to face his first ball. Full on leg, Williamson turns to midwicket for one.
5.4 - Mitchell to face Haris. Short, and Mitchell pulls for one out to midwicket.
5.5 - Full, straight, Williamson drives to mid-on for no run.
5.6 - Full on leg, Williamson clips to fine leg for four.
Six runs from that over.
3:22am - 5th over, 15 runs scored
First bowling change, Hasan Ali into the attack, Mitchell faces.
4.1 - And he's greated with a lofted six over long-on from Mitchell! Classy shot!
4.2 - Mitchell goes again, no timing though, so settles for a single to mid-on.
4.3 - Guptill drives outside off, inside edge, so they get a single to short fine leg.
4.4 - Short, Mitchell pulls, but can't time it. Inside edge onto his pad. No run.
4.5 - Slower ball, Mitchell doesn't read it, but gets one more to mid-on.
4.6 - Guptill gives himself room and cuts for four more! And what's more, that's a huge no ball! Free hit for Guptill!
4.6 - Yorker from Hasan, Guptill gets a single to short fine leg.
Fifteen runs from the over.
3:17am - 4th over, six runs
Imad to Guptill.
3.1 - Short, Guptill cuts to cover, no run.
3.2 - Imad cramps Guptill for room on leg stump, no room.
3.3 - Straight again, Guptill pushes back to the bowler.
3.4 - Straight once more, Guptill pushes to long-on for one.
3.5 - On the pads, and Mitchell works to mid-on for a single.
3.6 - Guptill gives himself room, and thrashes the ball to the point boundary for four!
Six runs scored.
3:13am - 3rd over, eight runs
Shaheen carries on. Mitchell faces up.
2.1 - Full, straight, Mitchell defends.
2.2 - Full on leg stump, Mitchell clips out to modwicket for two runs.
2.3 - Full outside off, Mitchell drives to cover and sneaks a single.
2.4 - Full again, but no swing. Guptill clips one off his toes into leg for one more.
2.5 - Short and wide, Mitchell smashes it through cover to the boundary off the back foot!
2.6 - Mitchell's hit on the pads outside leg stump to finish with a dot ball.
Eight from that over.
3:08am - 2nd over, seven runs
Imad Wasim takes the ball from the other end, bowling left-arm spin. Mitchell on strike.
1.1 - Full from Imad, Mitchell pushes to cover for no run.
1.2 - Mitchell uses his feet and whips Imad through midwicket for a single, NZ's first runs.
1.3 - Guptill on strike. Punches Imad to cover, no run.
1.4 - Arm ball from Imad, Guptill runs a single to third man.
1.5 - Mitchell goes back and gets a single to backward square leg.
1.6 - Short and wide to finish, and Guptill cuts for four and the first boundary!
Seven runs from the over!
3:05am - 1st over, no runs
The players take a knee before the first ball, in honour of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Right then, Afridi to Guptill.
0.1 - Full, straight and swinging first ball. Guptill drives straight, but can't beat the bowler.
0.2 - Shape second ball, Guptill leaves it alone outside his off-stump.
0.3 - Guptill gives himself room and shovels the ball to mid-on, no run.
0.4 - Straight again, Guptill defends under his eyes.
0.5 - Yorker. Guptill keeps it out, but can't snatch a run to point.
0.6 - Swing and a miss from Guptill, Pakistan appeal, but the umpire's unmoved.
Maiden over.
3:00am
Here we go then! We're ready for the first ball.
Martin Guptill will take strike for the Blackcaps, Shaheen Shah Afridi has the ball for Pakistan.
2:55am
We'll have the national anthems, and then it's on.
2:54am
A very interesting team from the Blackcaps then.
Daryl Mitchell will open the batting, seeing Devon Conway slot in at No. 4 in the batting order, with Tim Seifert playing as a specialist wicket-keeper at No. 7.
Pakistan are unchanged from their side that smashed India.
2:50am
Pakistan: 1-Babar Azam (c), 2-Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3-Fakhar Zaman, 4-Mohammad Hafeez, 5-Shoaib Malik, 6-Asif Ali, 7-Shadab Khan, 8-Imad Wasim, 9-Hasan Ali, 10-Haris Rauf, 11-Shaheen Shah Afridi.
New Zealand: 1-Martin Guptill, 2-Daryl Mitchell, 3-Kane Williamson (c), 4-Devon Conway, 5-Glenn Phillips, 6-Jimmy Neesham, 7-Tim Seifert (wk) 8-Mitchell Santner 9-Tim Southee, 10-Trent Boult, 11-Ish Sodhi.
2:47am
Right then, we've had the toss and Pakistan's Babar Azam has called correctly, and sent the Blackcaps in to bat first.
We'll have the playing XIs for you shortly.
2:45am
A very good morning to you all! We're up bright and early to cover off the Blackcaps' T20 World Cup opener.
A couple of bits of news to get started, with the defending champions the West Indies' chances hanging by a thread after an eight wicket loss to South Africa. That comes a couple of days after being crushed by England.
The second bit of news is that Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the tournament for New Zealand with a calf tear. Adam Milne replaces him in the Blackcaps' squad.
Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Blackcaps Twenty20 World Cup opening match against Pakistan in Sharjah.
Having not played a competitive match since the end of their Bangladesh tour at the start of September, the Blackcaps have been handed a pretty tough ask to open their bid for a first T20 World Cup title.
The Blackcaps' preparation has seen them beat the Netherlands, but lose to Australia and England, in the low-and-slow conditions on offer in the UAE.
Meanwhile, opponents Pakistan have already played their tournament opener, crushing favourites India by 10 wickets in Dubai.
But Pakistan aren't renowned for their consistency, so expect the unexpected in Sharjah.
There are exciting match-ups across the park, with Pakistan's formidable opening pair of wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam to face the New Zealand new ball attack of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson.
On the other hand, the likes of Martin Guptill, Devon Conway and Kane Williamson will be up against Pakistan's tearaway quicks, led by the impressive Shaheen Shah Afridi - after his man-of-the-match display against India.
There's also, supposedly, bad blood between these two sides, with Pakistan not forgetting the Blackcaps' decision to abandon their tour of the country last month, after a security threat.
TAB odds
Pakistan $1.64, New Zealand $2.15
Teams (predicted):
New Zealand: 1-Martin Guptill, 2-Devon Conway (wk), 3-Kane Williamson (c), 4-Glenn Phillips, 5-Daryl Mitchell, 6-Jimmy Neesham, 7-Mitchell Santner, 8-Tim Southee, 9-Ish Sodhi, 10-Lockie Ferguson, 11-Trent Boult.
Pakistan: 1-Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 2-Babar Azam (c), 3-Fakhar Zaman, 4-Mohammad Hafeez, 5-Shoaib Malik, 6-Asif Ali, 7-Shadab Khan, 8-Imad Wasim, 9-Hasan Ali, 10-Haris Rauf, 11-Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Blackcaps anticipating 'outstanding' Pakistan in T20 World Cup opener
The Blackcaps know what they're up against in their Twenty20 World Cup opening match, squaring off against a red hot Pakistan side at Sharjah in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
While the Blackcaps' encounter will be their first in this year's T20 World Cup, Wednesday's showdown will be Pakistan's second, after a comprehensive dismantling of pre-tournament favourites India on Monday (NZ time).
Entering the match having lost all 12 encounters with India across World Cups in both one day international and T20 cricket, Babar Azam's Pakistan were ruthless in their drought-breaking victory.
Winning the toss and bowling first, Pakistan restricted their arch rivals to 151/7 in their 20 overs, before waltzing to 152/0 in reply - winning by 10 wickets in Dubai.
The loss was the first time in history that India had lost a T20 International by 10 wickets.
Like the rest of the cricketing world, the Blackcaps also had one eye on Dubai, with Pakistan and India both waiting for them later in the tournament.
And with Pakistan their first challenge, Blackcaps captain Kane Williamson couldn't hold back in his appraisal of his side's next opponents.
"They were outstanding," Williamson says.
"They're a fantastic side, and have played a lot of cricket in these conditions.
"Over the years, they've been ranked at the top of the tree for good reason, and they were very, very clinical last night
"[They'll be] a very strong side in the tournament."
But Wednesday's match at Sharjah will be played under a cloud of discontent.
Since the Blackcaps pulled out of their tour of Pakistan at the last minute last month due to a security threat, New Zealand cricket has come under fire from their subcontinent opposites, accused of not acting in the spirit of the game.
Any social media posts from any New Zealand Cricket affiliated account, including past and current players, are quickly bombarded by swarms of angry Pakistan fans, still upset at the nature of the cancellation.
But Williamson is confident that the animosity won't be on show on Wednesday, and that the match will be played in "the right spirit."
"No doubt, they're going to be ready for their second game, they've hit the ground running against India, having had a very fantastic performance.
"But I'm sure the focus will be on the cricket, and it will be played in the right spirit.
"Both teams are really looking forward to the occasion."
