United Arab Emirates vs New Zealand, UAE vs NZ, Today Match Prediction 17 August 2023

UAE vs NZ Match Prediction & Analysis

New Zealand will play a bilateral series against the UAE for the first time in international cricket when they begin their tour to the country for three T20Is from August 17. Across all formats, the teams have only met once in cricket history: in the 1996 World Cup, when New Zealand won by 109 runs at Faisalabad. They are all now all set to face-off for the first time in 27 years. The first game will take place on Thursday (August 17), with the final two games taking place on August 19 and August 20. All the matches of the series will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

UAE

NZ

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

United Arab Emirates Preview

Muhammad Waseem has been appointed as the UAE's new T20I captain. Waseem, who has played 23 T20Is for the UAE, was named ODI captain earlier this year. His first assignment as the T20 captain will be against New Zealand in this three-match series. Waseem has scored 942 runs in his T20I career at an impressive average of 42.81 and a strike rate of 144.25. He will be the batting mainstay of this team, which includes many fresh faces.

After a string of excellent ODI performances, prolific ODI batter Asif Khan is also set to make his T20I debut. In 30 ODIs, Asif has smashed 1049 runs at an average of 41.96 and a strike rate of 85.28. Asif is riding high on a sensational streak, having just ed an unbeaten 151 from 145 balls against USA in the ODI World Cup qualifiers' ninth-place playoff.  In March, he blasted a 45-ball 102* against Nepal, the fourth-fastest ODI century and the fastest by an Associate batter, and followed it up two weeks later with an 84-ball 103 against the United States. We are expecting some noteworthy performances from this exciting batter in this series.

The UAE squad also features two uncapped youngsters, all-rounder Mohammed Faraazuddin, 22, and left-arm spinner Jash Giyanani, 19. Both players have yet to play a T20 match, but they were of the UAE A team at the ACC Men's Emerging Cup. 

Junaid Siddique and Zahoor Khan, who have 36 and 51 T20I wickets to their names, are expected to share the new ball between them. Aayan Afzal Khan’s slow left-arm spin will also be useful on this wicket. 

United Arab Emirates Predicted Playing XI:

Muhammad Waseem (c), Asif Khan, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Ali Naseer, Jash Giyanani/ Lovepreet Singh, Junaid Siddique, Zahoor Khan, Aayan Afzal Khan

United Arab Emirates Actual Playing XI:

Ali Naseer, Asif Khan, Aayan Khan, Waseem Muhammad, Basil Hameed, Junaid Siddique, Vriitya Aravind, Aryansh Sharma, Zahoor Khan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Ansh Tandon

New Zealand Preview

New Zealand has a rather second-string roster in the UAE, missing regulars Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glen Phillips, and Ish Sodhi. Despite this, they have a really strong squad led by Tim Southee that’s balanced in all departments. 

Among the batters, watch out for Mark Chapman. The stylish batter has established himself in the middle order in New Zealand’s T20I squad over the last few months. He is in great form and has scored 353 runs in his last 10 matches at an average of 70.60 and a strike rate of 151.50. Chapman can also bowl slow left-arm spin, which will be quite handy on these surfaces.

Tim Seifert is another batter we are backing to make an impact. The wicket-keeper batsman has been playing for the Galle Titans in the Lanka Premier League and was the season's second-highest run-scorer at the time of writing, with 231 runs in 7 innings at an average of 38.50 and a strike rate of 132.48.

All-rounder James Neesham will play a pivotal role as the finisher for the team. He has a strike rate of 161 in T20Is and will fancy his chances against the UAE bowlers at the death. Neesham is also a smart seam bowler. He has played 9 T20Is in the UAE and has grabbed 6 wickets in them at an economy of 7.90.

Kyle Jamieson, who has been out of action since undergoing back surgery in February, has also returned to the squad. Jamieson is one of the most exciting fast bowlers in the world at present, and his performance in the series will be interesting to see. 

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, meanwhile, will hold the key for New Zealand’s spin bowling. The experienced spin-bowling all-rounder bowls tight lines and is sure to create problems for UAE’s batters. 

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Tim Southee (c), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Tim Seifert (wk), Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Dean Foxcroft, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Lister

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Cole McConchie, Dane Cleaver, Mark Chapman, Tim Seifert, Chad Bowes, James Neesham, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Benjamin Lister

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is usually well-balanced, allowing for an equal battle between bat and ball. It has considerable pace and bounce, making strokeplay rewarding for batsmen who time their shots effectively. Spinners will find purchase here as the match progresses, while seamers should enjoy the early seam movement.

The weather in Dubai will be very hot and humid. The minimum temperature will be around 32°.

UAE vs NZ Pitch Report

The average score batting first in T20Is at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is 146. The highest total posted at the venue is 212-2 by India against Afghanistan in 2022. The average run per over here is 7.34. The team batting first should look to set a target of around 170-180 runs.

Toss: To Bowl

There have been 86 T20Is played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with the batting team winning 41 of them and the chasing team winning 45. We reckon the team winning the toss will choose to field first at this venue.