PAK vs NZ T20I Series: Just a couple of days left when the visitors New Zealand will take on the hosts Pakistan in the shortest format of international cricket. The New Zealand tour of Pakistan is scheduled to have five games at two venues and Pakistan team management might ask curators for dry and flat surfaces keeping the World Cup preparation in mind.
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The T20 World Cup 2024 is also not too far away and ICC have also announced the schedule for the T20 World Cup which is all set to be played in the USA and West Indies. Pitches in the West Indies are also not known for assisting spinners much.
PAK vs NZ T20I Series is set to be played at two venues. The first three matches are scheduled to be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi and then the teams will move to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium for the remainder of the series.
Pitch Analysis For PAK vs NZ T20I Series
The five matches of the T20I series are set to be played at the two stadiums; Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium at Rawalpindi and Gaddafi Stadium at Lahore. Below is the detailed analysis of Rawalpindi and Lahore Pitches with stats and records.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Located in DKS Rawalpindi in the Punjab province of Pakistan, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has been a historic venue in Pakistan Cricket. With a sitting capacity of 15,000, this stadium was established in 1992.
Up until now, the Rawalpindi Stadium has hosted five T20 international matches and four out of those have been won by the team chasing. Only Zimbabwe and New Zealand have played matches in this venue.
The first T20I played here was Pakistan vs Zimbabwe in 2020 and the latest is New Zealand vs Pakistan in 2023. Over the course of time, it is pretty evident that the pitches here in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium become slower with each match.
The well-balanced surface at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is well-known for its ability to accommodate both batsmen and spin bowlers throughout a match. Even if the pitch tends to slow down as the game progresses, it is still easy to bat for the wickets.
The new ball helps batters score quickly at the beginning of the game, especially in the powerplay overs. But as the game goes on, the surface tends to slow down, which gives spinners ideal circumstances to take advantage of with their spins and changes. However, the dew effect might materialize and benefit the pursuing team.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Stats and Records
Matches Played– 5
Team Won Batting First- 0
Team Won Bowling First- 4
Highest Score Batting First- 193/5 (Pak)
Lowest Score Batting First- 129/9 (Zim)
Highest Score Batting Second- 194/4 (NZ)
Lowest Score Batting Second- 130/2 in 15.2 overs (PAK)
Highest Successful Chase- 193/5 (PAK) vs 194/4 (NZ)
Score Below 140- 4
Score Between 141-180– 2
Score above 181– 2
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
The Gaddafi Stadium, named after the Libyan leader, is situated in the old city of Lahore. It had a thorough renovation in 1995–1996 in preparation for the World Cup that year. Gaddafi Stadium can hold 27,000 spectators and was the site of the 1996 World Cup final.
Gaddafi Stadium has hosted 21 T20I till now and 12 times out of those 21, the team batting first have won the game. This shows that the pitch become slower in the second half of the innings.
Pakistan hosted Zimbabwe for the first time in Gaddafi Stadium where the host chased down 172 with ease but as the new trend is growing, batting second is a bit of a tough job at this venue. In the last 6 matches, the batting first side have won 5 games.
Due to their flat nature, the venue’s fields are renowned for hosting run-feasts. Additionally, the wickets have solid bounce, which helps the slower bowlers later in the game and the quicks early in the contest.
Mostly, Gaddafi Stadium is a hitter’s paradise. There is hardly much assistance for the bowlers on this flat surface. But as the game goes on, the surface does help the spinners a little bit, but the pacers have to battle their way out in Lahore.
Gaddafi Stadium Stats and Records
Matches Played– 21
Team Won Batting First– 12
Team Won Bowling First– 9
Highest Score Batting First– 209/3 (ENG)
Lowest Score Batting First– 136/6 (BAN)
Highest Score Batting Second- 177/4 (World XI)
Lowest Score Batting Second– 94/10 (NZ)
Highest Successful Chase– 175/3 (PAK) vs 176/8 (PAK)
Score Below 140– 6
Score Between 141-180– 30
Score above 181– 6
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