The first T20 match will be played in Auckland on Friday, followed by games in Hamilton, Dunedin and two games in Christchurch.

The series trophy was unveiled in a brief ceremony involving the captains on Thursday.

Shaheen Shah Afridi will be leading his side for the first time since being made captain after Babar Azam stepped down from the role following the World Cup earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Pakistan will be without many familiar faces including Shadab Khan, who is out with an ankle injury, as well as pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah who are being rested.

This is also the first T20 series since changes were made to Pakistan’s coaching staff including the arrival of Muhammad Hafeez, Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal.

Yasir Arafat has also been made the hig performance coach.

For New Zealand, Andre Adams has been appointed bowling coach while Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson and captain Kane Williamson will make their return to the squad.