Kane Williamson sees Babar Azam as "big threat" ahead of T20I series

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has dubbed his former Pakistani counterpart, Babar Azam as the "biggest threat" ahead of the T20I series, starting tomorrow (Friday).

At a news conference on Thursday, Williamson backed Babar Azam despite his poor form. 

“Cricket comes with a full range of feeling and emotions and part of it is navigating each day and looking to improve. He is one of the best players in the world and I am sure he will be doing that and that doesn’t change overnight.”

In response to Pakistan’s recent 3-0 test series defeat to Australia, Williamson waved away the red-ball form, instead emphasizing Pakistan’s persistent supremacy in T20 cricket.

“We played a tri-series series prior to the last World Cup. They won that and they obviously went a long way in that competition as well and so we know how strong they are as a team,” said the New Zealand captain.

The schedule for Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series is as follows:

First match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 12 January, Auckland

Second match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 14 January, Hamilton

Third match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 17 January, Dunedin

Fourth match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 19 January, Christchurch

Fifth match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 21 January, Christchurch.