AUCKLAND: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat in the second Twenty20 against New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park on Thursday.
The tourists are down 1-0 and looking to reverse a form slump to keep the three-match series alive.
"It looks a good batting pitch so hopefully we can come up with a good score then defend it," captain Sarfraz Ahmed said.
"I've just told the boys 'play your natural game, don't worry about the result, we have nothing to lose'."
Pakistan recalled opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad in a bid to make a strong start as they chase their first win on tour against the Black Caps.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson returns for the hosts after missing the first match with a thigh strain.
Trent Boult is also back alongside rookie paceman Ben Wheeler, while Tim Southee is rested.
The three-match series will finish in Tauranga on Sunday.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (capt), Tom Bruce, Glenn Phillips, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ben Wheeler, Ish Sodhi, Seth Rance, Trent Boult.
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Umar Amin, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees.
Series: New Zealand lead the three-match series 1-0
Umpires: Shaun Haig (NZL), Chris Brown (NZL)
TV Umpire: Wayne Knights (NZL)
Match referee: Richie Richardson (WIS)
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