New Zealand vs Pakistan T20I: After 211 days, Kane Williamson’s men to resume international duties

New Zealand cricket team will take on Pakistan in a T20I match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on October 31. What makes the contest very very special for Kane Williamson’s men is the fact that they will be resuming their international duties after a gap of 211 days! Yes, you read that right. The New Zealand team last played an international match in the month of March against England which was a Test match.

While some of the New Zealand cricketers played in the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), they haven’t played any international cricket since then. Pakistan, on the other hand, have been brilliant under Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy in the shortest format – where he has led the team to 26 wins in 30 T20I matches. And it isn’t that Men in Green have registered those wins only against weaker opponents.

In the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Australia, Pakistan outclassed their opponents in all departments of the game and went on to clinch the series 3-0. Even in the absence of two marquee players in Steve Smith and David Warner, Australia boasted of some world class players who failed to prove their mettle against Pakistan. Pakistani bowlers made a huge impact in the series, restricting Australia to totals less than 140 runs and also dismissing them for a paltry 89-run total in the opening match.

New Zealand, who are a far better side in the coloured jersey, would be without the services of their key batsman Martin Guptill – who has been sidelined from the tournament with a calf-strain. Another big player missing from New Zealand squad would be Mitchell Santner – who is yet to recover from a knee injury. But despite missing the two players, the side still boasts of some quality players in Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and Williamson. Corey Anderson is also one player could be brought back into the squad after having played his last match in the Champions Trophy 2017.

While the New Zealand cricketers would be raring to go, it remains to be seen whether they can end Pakistan’s winning streak in T20Is.