New Zealand Captain Tom Latham is wary of the Pakistani team ahead of the first T20I match, which is scheduled to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on April 14th. Latham expressed caution towards Pakistan, citing their strong and diverse lineup, which boasts of match-winners in every department of the game.
Tom Latham optimistic about New Zealand’s chances against Pakistan
Speaking to the media, Tom Latham stated that Pakistan has a strong bowling attack with quality spinners and a formidable batting lineup that could prove to be a threat to his team. He acknowledged that his team would need to perform exceptionally well to beat the home team but expressed optimism about his team’s chances in the upcoming T20I series.
Despite the absence of key players due to IPL commitments, Tom Latham believes that his team can put up a good performance against the quality Pakistan side. He pointed out that Pakistan is a quality team, considering their recent performances in the PSL tournament. Latham also emphasized that the missing players provide an opportunity for other players to step up and perform.
New Zealand has some players who have not played a significant amount of cricket, but Latham believes that the players who have played a lot of T20 cricket for New Zealand can step up to the challenge. The New Zealand captain acknowledged that his team’s preparation for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan has been less than ideal, owing to their recent back-to-back series engagements.
The New Zealand team had a series against Sri Lanka with some one-dayers and T20s, which took a toll on their preparation for the upcoming series against Pakistan. However, Latham believes that his team can adapt to the conditions and gather as much information as possible to give them a good chance through the series.
Tom Latham also expressed excitement about the opportunity to explore new conditions where the team has not played before. He highlighted the importance of adapting to new conditions and acknowledged that it is a challenge that his team would have to face.
The New Zealand team has some experienced players, including Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, and Kane Williamson, who will lead the team in the absence of the IPL-bound players. Latham has confidence in his team’s ability to adapt to new conditions and perform well against the quality Pakistan side.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani team is also gearing up for the T20I series against New Zealand. The team has been performing well in recent times, with an impressive showing in the PSL tournament. Pakistan has a balanced squad with a strong bowling attack, comprising of fast bowlers and quality spinners. The team also has a strong batting lineup, with Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan in top form.
The Pakistani team is looking to continue their recent run of good form and dominate the upcoming series against New Zealand. With the home advantage on their side, Pakistan would look to make full use of their strengths and perform well against a weakened New Zealand side.
Read More: Mickey Arthur appointed as Pakistan team’s consultant for New Zealand series
The upcoming T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand promises to be an exciting contest. The New Zealand team is facing a tough challenge with the absence of key players, but the team has the experience and talent to overcome the challenge. Pakistan, on the other hand, is in top form and would look to make the most of their home advantage. The series would be a test of both teams’ skills and abilities, and the fans can look forward to some great cricketing action in the coming days.