New Zealand’s all-rounder Jimmy Neesham feels that the Kiwis will have to bring their A-game if they want to win the upcoming white-ball series against Pakistan. The series will comprise five T20Is and as many ODIs. Neesham, who has played in the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL), believes that Pakistan is a really good team in their own conditions.
Jimmy Neesham’s take on Pakistan’s home conditions
Speaking to media sources in Lahore ahead of the first T20I, Jimmy Neesham emphasized the need for New Zealand to be on top of their game if they want to come out on top in the series. He also mentioned that the team can use the experiences that a few of them have recently gained in these conditions.
Jimmy Neesham, who has represented New Zealand in 71 ODIs and 63 T20Is, was a part of the Peshawar Zalmi squad in the PSL and played in Lahore last month. He had also shared a dressing room with Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam during the tournament.
The all-rounder stated that the feel of the atmosphere has changed a little bit since the PSL, and it’s obviously a lot warmer than it was at that time. However, the conditions still favor Pakistan, and the Kiwis will have to adapt to them quickly.
New Zealand has had success in this format over the last six or eight years, and the team knows how they operate. Neesham believes that in these conditions, it’ll be about sticking to those plans. He also expects high-scoring encounters on what looks like a good wicket.
For the bowling attack, it’s about maintaining composure and trying to limit the big overs. Neesham stated that the nature of cricket is such that there’s no perfect plan for any batter, and all plans sort of have positives and negatives. The Kiwi team can only come up with theories, but at the end of the day, it is up to the execution of the bowlers and sometimes potentially a bit of luck as well.
Talking about the lack of experience in the touring squad, Jimmy Neesham said that the team has got a lot of enthusiastic guys who are keen to get out there and make their mark on international cricket. He stated that it’s great for the culture of the group to have that injection of young talent and passion. He hopes that these youngsters get a chance to impress and show their wares in the next few days.
New Zealand has always been a tough opponent in limited-overs cricket, and their recent form suggests that they are still one of the best sides in the world. However, playing in the subcontinent has always been a challenge for them, and they will have to overcome that challenge if they want to win the series against Pakistan.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has a lot of experience playing in their home conditions, and they will be a tough nut to crack. The team has been in good form lately, and they will look to continue that form in the series against the Kiwis.
The series promises to be an exciting one, with both teams having some of the best limited-overs players in the world. It will be interesting to see how the Kiwis adapt to the conditions and how Pakistan continues its good form.
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Jimmy Neesham has set the tone for the upcoming white-ball series between New Zealand and Pakistan. The Kiwis will have to be at their best if they want to beat Pakistan in their home conditions. The lack of experience in the touring squad can be a concern, but the team has a lot of young and enthusiastic players who are keen to make their mark on international cricket. The series promises to be a closely contested one, and cricket fans all around the world will be eagerly waiting to see how it unfolds.
