New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bat. Under overcast conditions in Rawalpindi, on a day where the game has been pushed back by half an hour owing to inclement weather, Michael Bracewell decided to set a target for the hosts. In the first of five T20Is, New Zealand have handed a debut to big-hitting Tim Robinson, with the seasoned Ish Sodhi the sole specialist spinner in their XI.

Babar Azam, in his first game back as captain for Pakistan, said he would have chosen to chase anyway. Pakistan's side is relatively new-look, too, with three debutants in the side. Usman Khan, Irfan Khan and Abrar Ahmed have all been capped at T20I level for the first time. Imad Wasim sits out, as does Azam Khan, who is recovering from a niggle. Shaheen Afridi features in his first match since losing the captaincy, while Mohammad Amir plays his first international match since his return from retirement.