PAK vs NZ 1st T20I: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Forecast & Venue T20 Record

Pakistan will prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024 with a 5-match series against New Zealand, starting with the first T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Thursday (April 18).

Babar Azam will lead a strongest possible squad that also welcomes back Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir, who reversed their retirement decisions earlier this year following decent performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch report weather forecast and T20 record ahead of PAK vs NZ 1st T20I Image X

New Zealand, meanwhile, has sent a second-string side led by Michael Bracewell with several first-choice picks, including skipper Kane Williams, being involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

This will be Pakistan's first T20I assignment since the 1-4 series loss in New Zealand earlier this year, while the Blackcaps suffered a home series 0-3 whitewash at the hands of their Trans-Tasman neighbours Australia.

The two sides will look to get back to winning ways when they clash for the second time in the space of a year at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, where New Zealand ran away 6-wicket victors following the highest successful run chase at the venue.

There are reports of the Rawalpindi leg of the series being affected by rain. So, how will the weather and pitch play? What is the T20 record at the venue? Here is a look at the Rawalpindi Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Forecast & T20 stats ahead of PAK vs NZ 1st T20I:

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Weather Forecast

It is expected to be a cloudy day with temperature at 16°C during the playing hours in Rawalpindi on Thursday (April 18). Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted rain in various areas across Pakistan, including Rawalpindi from Wednesday (April 17).

Rain prediction for Rawalpindi on April 18: As per AccuWeather there is forecast for a cloudy evening with showers arriving overnight and spilling into April 19. However, as per Weather.com, there is chance for showers in the evening, evolving into a more steady rain overnight.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

The pitches at the Pindi venue are known for their flat nature, producing run-feasts. The wickets also provide good bounce, assisting the quicks early in the matches and the slower bowlers as the game progresses. In the recent PSL, there were mixed wickets on offer.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium T20 Records and Stats

Total Matches Played: 5
Batting 1st Won: 0
Batting 2nd Won: 4
No Result: 1
Average 1st Innings score: 155
Average 2nd Innings score: 154
Highest Total: 194/4 by New Zealand vs Pakistan in 2023
Lowest Total: 134/7 by Zimbabwe vs Pakistan in 2020
Highest Successful Chase: 194/4 in 19.2 overs by New Zealand vs Pakistan in 2023
Lowest Total Defended: NA
Most Runs: Mark Chapman (NZ) - 175 runs, Babar Azam (PAK) - 152 runs
Highest Individual Score: Mark Chapman (New Zealand) - 104 not out off 57 balls in 2023
Total Fours: 67 Fours
Most Fours: Mark Chapman (NZ) - 21 fours, Babar Azam (PAK) - 20 fours
Total Sixes: 16 Sixes
Most Sixes: Mark Chapman (NZ) & Haider Ali (PAK) - 5 sixes each
Total Fifties: 7 Fifties
Most Fifties: Babar Azam (PAK) - 2 fifties
Total Hundreds: 1 Hundred - Mark Chapman (NZ)
Most Wickets: Usman Qadir (PAK) - 8 wickets, Imad Wasim (PAK) & Haris Rauf (PAK) - 7 wickets each
Best Bowling Innings: Usman Qadir (Pakistan) - 4 for 13 in 4 overs vs Zimbabwe in 2020