The fourth Twenty20 International of the series between Pakistan and New Zealand takes place in Christchurch on Friday evening. Following their victories in the first three games, including a 45-run victory in Dunedin on Wednesday, the Black Caps have already secured the series. Hagley Oval in Christchurch will host the T20I starting at 19:10 local time.
It has never happened to New Zealand before that they have won a home T20I series against Pakistan. They have been the best team all along, so few would predict that they would lose this game, even though they are now without their regular leader.
In this series, Pakistan has lost by 46 runs, 21 runs, and 45 runs so far, yet despite their bowling assault, they have always identified a single New Zealand batsman who can score heavily. They could win in Christchurch if they put up a strong show; they have been competitive in this series.
NZ vs PAK Team Preview & Squads
New Zealand
The host team might start with the same lineup for this game after winning the series at Dunedin on Wednesday. To score the majority of the runs in the batting department, the home team will mostly rely on players like the explosive Finn Allen, young Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, and wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert.
The pace trio of Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson, as well as the spin combo of Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner, will be expected to make timely breakthroughs in the bowling department. Tim Southee, a pacer, was New Zealand’s best bowler in the previous game, taking 2 for 29 in his four overs.In addition to Southee, Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson both bowled well and took one wicket each.
New Zealand Squads
New Zealand
Mitchell Santner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Mark Chapman, Ish Sodhi, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee, Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson
Pakistan
The fact that the batting order has performed well as a unit will disappoint the management. There hasn’t been a standout batting performance aside from Babar Azam. The visitors’ batting lineup, which includes Babar Azam, opener Mohammad Rizwan, youngster Saim Ayub, seasoned keeper-batter Azam Khan, and explosive batsman Iftikhar Ahmed, will be crucial in helping the club put up a solid score.
Babar Azam continued his impressive run of form with the bat in the previous game, recording his third straight half-century of the series. He scored 58 runs off 37 balls, including eight fours and one six. The green shirts will be counting on fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Zaman Khan, as well as the spin of Muhammad Nawaz, to produce timely breakthroughs in the bowling department.
Pakistan Squads
Pakistan
Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Azam Khan (wk), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan, Zaman Khan
Both sides will be eager to take the field, bowl first, and limit the other team to less than 160 runs. The team batting second has won the majority of the Twenty20 International matches held at Hagley Oval. Clear skies are predicted for the evening of Friday, the day of the match.
The wicket that Hagley Oval in Christchurch has prepared will make the match between bat and ball entertaining.
NZ vs PAK Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches
New Zealand has won four of the previous five games, while one ended in a draw.
According to cricket analysts, New Zealand has a 54% chance of winning.
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