Blackcaps vs Pakistan: Big-hitting Colin Munro brings form into T20 showdown

Colin Munro
Blackcaps batsman Colin Munro. Photo credit: Photosport

Blackcaps batsman Colin Munro hopes to bring his sizzling T20 form onto the international stage, when New Zealand take on Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates this week.

The big-hitting top-order specialist tore up the Caribbean Premier League over August/September, averaging 51.54 runs off a 140.34 strike rate and top-scoring with an unbeaten 68 in the final to guide the Trinbago Knight Riders to the title.

Munro, 31, then helped the Balkh Legends to victory in the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League, also run over the 20-over format.

Those successes have provided an ideal platform for Munro and his national teammates to launch against the world's top-ranked T20 side on 'home' turf in the desert.

"The CPL was pretty successful in terms of my runscoring, so I tried to take that into the Afghanistan Premier League," he said.

"Unfortunately, it wasn't as good, but we had a well-balanced team, with some experienced overseas players and good young local talent as well.

"It's always nice to get another tournament win - nice to keep ticking those off - especially being the first tournament in the Afghanistan league. It makes a big difference."

With the proliferation of professional T20 leagues popping up around the globe, players have had to learn to adapt to unfamiliar teammates and surroundings.

But for Munro, returning to the Blackcaps is like coming home.

"It's always hard, but coming back into this environment, there's a couple of new faces here and there, but everyone's played for New Zealand before.  

"It's like coming back to the family, after going on a sabbatical or OE. Everyone's in good spirits and looking forward to the first game."

Pakistan achieved their top world-ranking as a result of their series win over the Blackcaps - the previous number one side - in New Zealand last summer, so there is a score to be settled there.

Since then, the Kiwis have slumped to fifth on the standings, but within only two points of Australia and England.

Pakistan are also riding high from dominating an understrength Australian team over recent weeks in the UAE.

"This will be a big challenge in these conditions, with a few guys coming straight out of winter and not playing a lot of cricket," admitted Munro.

"But there are no excuses. We have to go out there and play our brand of cricket, and hopefully that's good enough on the day.

"The guys that have been overseas have done really well, so everyone's chomping at the bit and raring to go. We're quietly confident, even in these conditions."

Newshub.

Join us at 5am Thursday for live updates of the Blackcaps vs Pakistan T20 in Abu Dhabi