3 weeks ago
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New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay(WK), Michael Bracewell(C), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears (in for Zakary Foulkes), Will O'Rourke.
Pakistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Haris(WK), Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf (in for Irfan Khan), Salman Agha(C), Usman Khan (in for Khushdil Shah), Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan (in for Abbas Afridi), Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem (in for Abrar Ahmed), Mohammad Ali (in for Shaheen Afridi).
On the other hand, Pakistan has struggled with the bat throughout the series. Aside from their successful chase in the third T20I, their batting has largely been underwhelming. Salman Agha and Hasan Nawaz have shown glimpses of form, but the rest have faltered. With the ball, Haris Rauf has been the standout performer, with Abrar Ahmed and Abbas Afridi also showing promise. With the series already lost, Pakistan will be looking to make some changes and finish on a high note. So, who will come out on top today? Stay tuned as we bring you the toss and team updates shortly.
For New Zealand, Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, and Mark Chapman have been in explosive form, while captain Michael Bracewell has provided crucial cameos lower down the order. Jacob Duffy has been the standout bowler, with Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, and Zak Foulkes also contributing solidly. With the series already wrapped up, the home side might look to give some of their reserve players a chance to impress in this match.
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the fifth and final T20I between New Zealand and Pakistan at Sky Stadium in Wellington. The Black Caps have already secured an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series and will look to extend their winning streak, while Pakistan will aim to salvage some pride with a consolation victory to cap off the series.
The Sky Stadium in Wellington prepares to host the 5th and final T20I, a clash between New Zealand and Pakistan, concluding the latter's T20I tour as three ODIs are yet to be played next. With New Zealand already securing the series victory, having won three out of the four matches played, this final encounter carries a different kind of intensity. Pakistan, seeking redemption, face a dominant New Zealand side who are looking to solidify their superiority. This dead rubber match still holds a lot of pride for Pakistan. New Zealand, playing with a largely second-string squad, have showcased remarkable depth and resilience. Their openers, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have been explosive at the top, both providing rapid starts with impressive strike rates of over 180 so far. Mark Chapman has solidified their top-middle order, consistently delivering impactful innings at number three. Stand-in captain for this series, Michael Bracewell has provided crucial finishing touches, ensuring their batting lineup consistently delivers. The right-arm pacer, Jacob Duffy has been the standout bowler, leading the series with 11 wickets in four matches, while Ish Sodhi has stepped up in Mitchell Santner's absence, controlling the middle overs effectively as their premier spinner. Matt Henry's ongoing rehabilitation from a shoulder injury keeps him out, while Zakary Foulkes and Will O'Rourke remain in the squad, contributing to the team's balance. New Zealand are expected to maintain their dominance, having outscored Pakistan throughout the series. Their balanced approach, with both batting and bowling clicking, gives them the edge. On the other hand, Pakistan's batting woes have been the primary reason for their series defeat. Despite Hasan Nawaz's record-breaking century in the third match, his inconsistency mirrored the team's overall performance. The opener, Mohammad Haris has struggled to make an impact, failing to capitalize on his opportunities at the top. The right-arm fast bowler, Haris Rauf has been a lone warrior with the ball, while the experienced seamer Shaheen Afridi's performance has been below expectations, managing only two wickets in four games. The mystery spinner, Abrar Ahmed has offered some support in the spin department, but his expensive spells have added to Pakistan's problems. The criticism has been mounting for this young team, led by Salman Agha, who is missing the experience of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan, however, are determined to salvage some pride. Their bowling, reliant on Rauf, needs support, and their batting must find consistency. The question remains - can Pakistan's batters rise to the occasion, or will New Zealand's well-rounded team secure another victory? The Sky Stadium pitch in Wellington is known for its high-scoring nature, with short boundaries favouring the batter. Batting first has proven advantageous, adding scoreboard pressure. The weather forecast indicates favorable conditions for cricket with slightly on the cooler side. While this match is a dead rubber, both teams have distinct motivations. New Zealand aim to solidify their dominance with a 4-1 series win, while Pakistan seek to restore some pride and provide their fans with a reason to cheer. Expect a fun-filled contest.
