New Zealand will be favourites to win against Pakistan © Getty Images
All eyes will be on the young Pakistani left-handed pacer Mohammad Aamer, as he is all set to make comeback to international cricket after serving his ban in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal. Aamer is likely to play in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Eden Park in Auckland, wherein their three-match series will start. Pakistan and New Zealand will also be playing a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series, and the tour will be over by January end as the Kiwis will then focus on their preparations to take on Australia in a three-match Test series followed by limited-overs fixtures. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 1st T20I at Eden Park, Auckland
New Zealand will be without the services of their star skipper Brendon McCullum, and the young Kane Williamson will be handling the captaincy job. New Zealand will be the favourites to win both the series against Pakistan because of the obvious reason of being the hosts, and having tremendous firepower in their ranks. ALSO READ — New Zealand vs Pakistan 2015-16, 1st T20I at Auckland Preview: Rampant hosts seek winning start
Pakistan, on the other hand, will be led by the venerable Shahid Afridi. The seasoned campaigner will have an uphill task to guide his team to wins, as the tour will serve stiff challenges for his side to prepare for the upcoming ICC World T20 2016 to be played in India.
There are divided opinions on Aamer. While his coach Waqar Younis anticipated a few days back that he may not have any immediate impact, the New Zealand assistant coach Dimitri Mascarenhas has said that the Kiwis will have to be wary of Aamer as well as the other left-arm pacers in the Pakistani side.