The New Zealand middle-order's ability to mount a strong response when faced with the guile and variety in Pakistan's spin unit will be the deciding factor when the two sides face each other in the opening Super 8 Group 2 match of the T20 World Cup on Saturday.

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen produced a world record opening partnership of 175 runs as New Zealand thrashed the United Arab Emirates by 10 wickets.

Tim Seifert's calm yet aggressive knock set the tone as New Zealand opened their T20 World Cup campaign with a confident five-wicket win over Afghanistan on Sunday.

Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips starred as New Zealand recovered from a shaky start to overcome a challening target of 183 with considerable ease in their Group D opener in Chennai.

New Zealand vs Afghanistan Live Streaming, T20 World Cup 2026 Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch Live.

New Zealand head into the T20 World Cup as a balanced side, steady rather than spectacular, but with enough flashes of brilliance to keep them firmly in the contenders' bracket.

India vs New Zealand Live, 5th T20I: Ishan Kishan slammed 103 while Arshdeep Singh returned 5 for 51 as India beat NZ by 46 runs in the final game to bag the series 4-1.

Shivam Dube flickered brightly with a fifty of exceptional quality but it was insufficient to prevent India's 50-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

New Zealand named a spin heavy squad on Wednesday to travel to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month, led by captain Mitchell Santner.

New Zealand vs Australia LIVE Streaming, NZ v AUS 1st T20I LIVE Telecast: When And Where To Watch