New Zealand vs Pakistan – 2nd T20 International

When? Thursday, 25^th January

Where? Eden Park, Auckland

Weather? Cloudy weather but no rain forecast for Auckland with temperatures of 22-24c expected

What channel is it on? Sky Sports Main Event

Are tickets still available? http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=CRICKET18

Where can I stream the match? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via the SkyGo app

NEW ZEALAND

• New Zealand continued their dominance over Pakistan in the first T20 match on Monday as they bowled the tourists out for a meagre 105 and they will look to get a second victory which will seal the series and further cement their position as they number one ranked T20 team in the world.
• They have rotated their squad in the opening match but should bring Trent Boult and Kane Williamson back into the side after being rested so that should see Ross Taylor and Tim Southee held out this time to manage their playing time.
• Lockie Ferguson also returns to the squad and he could come back in for Seth Rance who picked up 3/26 which just shows the depth and quality that the Blackcaps have at their disposal right now.

Expected team: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (capt), Glenn Phillips (wk), Tom Bruce, Anaru Kitchen, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi

PAKISTAN

• Pakistan are struggling badly for confidence and belief right now with all their morale sapped as they seemingly just want to finish the series and return home after failing to come to terms with the conditions in New Zealand.
• The batting has let them down throughout the one-day series and that was the case once again in the opening T20 match as only Babar Azam and Hasan Ali reached double figures and the top four were all out with just 22 on the scoreboard so that is unquestionably the main area they need to improve.
• The visitors surprisingly left out Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez of the first T20 match but Shehzad should come back into the side as their coaching staff desperately try to find a spark that will get their batting line-up firing.

Expected team: Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), Shadab Khan, Aamer Yamin, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir

PREDICTION
The opening T20 match between these two sides went much the same way as predicted with the hosts dominating Pakistan. Even if they rest Rance and Southee who took three wickets apiece, Ferguson and Boult caused Pakistan all kinds of problems in the longer formats and will do so again here. Eden Park is a relatively small ground which should see higher scores, but there is little chance of Pakistan truly testing New Zealand here as they look to have given up on this tour. Another dominant win for the home team and the series will be wrapped up.