Pakistan will play first T20 international of the five-match series against New Zealand in Auckland on Friday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The match will start at 11:10 am Pakistan Standard Time.

The trophy for the five T20 match series between Pakistan and New Zealand has been unveiled in Auckland on Thursday.

Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson participated in the unveiling ceremony of the trophy.

https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/1745329267268038753

In the first T20, the Pakistani team reportedly will enter the field under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi with four fast bowlers. Apart from Shaheen Afridi, the other fast bowlers will be Aamir Jamal along with Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan.

Muhammad Nawaz is likely to be preferred over leg-break googly bowler Usama Mir in the first T20I, while Saim Ayub will open the innings with wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan.

Former captain Babar Azam will play at number three while the aggressive Fakhar Zaman has agreed to play at number four.

https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/1745034890935239113

Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket has appointed former allrounder Andre Adams as the bowling coach for their five-match T20I series against Pakistan at home.

SQUADS

Pakistan: Shahin Shah Afridi (captain), Amir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kharis Rauf, Hasibullah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Wasim Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Osama Mir, Zaman Khan

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Dion Conway (keeper), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ash Sodhi and Tim Southee

Schedule

First match – 12 January 2024, Eden Park, Auckland

Match 2 – 14 January 2024 Seddon Park, Hamilton

Third match – 17 January 2024, University Oval, Dunedin

Match 4 – 19 January 2024 Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Match 5 – 21 January 2024 Hagley Oval, Christchurch