Ironically Pakistan would be pleased to see its arch rivals India winning the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand, given the fact if the Host succeeds, Pakistan would jump to number one position in ICC T20 rankings.
Currently, New Zealand is at the top with 125 points followed by Pakistan which has 124 points and is enjoying the second place in 20-over format.
However, if India beats New Zealand in the first T20 of three-match series being played at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday (today), Pakistan will snatch the first position from Kiwis.
India has already won the three-match ODI series against New Zealand by 2-1, and now having the advantage of home ground, it wouldn’t be a surprise if India bags two back-to-back series wins against Kiwis.
However it is quiet an astonishing fact that India has never beaten New Zealand so far in five T20Is, the two teams met previously.
But by and large, India has a better winning percentage as compared to New Zealand in T20 Internationals against various teams which remains 58.82% against New Zealand’s 50.5%.
The Indian Captain Virat Kohli is most likely to become the highest scorer in T20Is as he requires just 38 runs to reach that landmark. Currently, New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum is the highest scorer with T20 2,140 runs while Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan is at second position with 1,889. Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik is at fourth position with 1,821 runs.
The first T20 between India and New Zealand at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium will be the last appearance of left-arm bowler Ashish Nehra in the game of cricket as he has already announced retirement from domestic cricket as well.
