NZ vs PAK: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Pitch Report and more for 3rd T20I

Terming New Zealand’s victory over Pakistan in the second T20I at Hamilton as comprehensive would be an understatement. Apart from a few dropped chances in the field, there was nothing else that the Black Caps failed to capitalize upon. With both bat and the ball, they made the strip look entirely different and excelled with such brilliance that the visitors were left bemused.

Not being at their full strength could well be an excuse for Pakistan, however, that New Zealand managed to outsmart them in the first game with their second-string unit cannot be denied. The second clash was always going to be easier with the hosts regaining their full squad.

On the other hand, Pakistan, in the absence of their mainstays – Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Imam-ul-Haq – have not looked at ease and will have plenty to ponder before they step in for the last tie at Napier. Barring Mohammad Hafeez’s stellar and unbeaten 99-run knock, there was hardly any positive for the touring party at Hamilton.

Swapping the positions of Haider Ali and Abdullah Shafique, who managed a duck in the first game, did not materialize well for the visitors either as Ali could manage only 8 with the bat. Apart from their insipidness with the bat, their bowlers looked toothless for the most part too, as they managed a solitary scalp in the entire quota of 20 overs.

Also Read: NZ vs PAK 3rd T20I Dream11 Fantasy Prediction

In stark contrast, the Kiwi bowlers have been on the money. Tim Southee’s exploits led him to a four-wicket haul in the previous game, and alongside Trent Boult, he continued to bowl on Test-match lines to the opponents. The manner in which Shadab Khan and Co have approached to manoeuvre the New Zealanders has been abstruse, to say the least.

Despite evident assistance to the pacers from the surface and the air, their batsmen failed to make the requisite adjustments and allowed the opponents’ ploy to work successfully. Their approach, however, could be attributed to their stand-in skipper’s ploy of “winning the Powerplay”. Well, win the Powerplay or not, after two losses on the trot, Pakistan would be keen to win the third T20I before they head into a tougher series awaiting them.

Pitch and conditions

There is little to look into the international record at Napier as the venue has hosted only a couple of T20Is thus far. However, the average score of T20s at the McLean Park has been 174, and the teams defending have ended victorious 8 times out of 13. None of the two games have been high-scoring thus far, whereas there has been sufficient for the bowlers to exploit. Expect a similar track tomorrow.

Playing Combinations for NZ vs PAK

New Zealand

With consecutive half-centuries, Tim Seifert has played a crucial role in the victories at Auckland and Hamilton. Making a comeback, the new dad Williamson looked at his fluent best too, as he slammed a crucial half-century on return. Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips will follow in the middle-order, whereas Tim Southee, Scott Kuggeleijn, Kyle Jamieson, and Trent Boult will form the pace attack.

Probable XI: Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert (WK), Kane Williamson (C), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham/Daryl Mitchell, Scott Kuggelejin, Ish Sodhi/Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult

Bench: Todd Astle/Ish Sodhi, Daryl Mitchell/James Neesham

Pakistan

After successive failures for Abdullah Shafique, Pakistan might want to give Iftikhar Ahmed a look-in alongside Mohammad Rizwan at the top. With scores of 3 and 8, Haider Ali has not been able to leave a mark either, and he would be itching to get going come to the last encounter of the series. With Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, and Imad Wasim in the middle-order, Pakistan is not expected to make many changes in their lineup.

Probable XI: Mohammad Rizwan/Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK), Abdullah Shafique/Iftikhar Ahmed, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan (C), Wahab Riaz/Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Bench: Usman Qadir, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed/Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Musa, Mohammad Hasnain/Wahab Riaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed

NZ vs PAK Head to Head

Played – 23 | New Zealand – 10 | Pakistan – 13

In New Zealand

Played – 11 | New Zealand – 7 | Pakistan – 4

NZ vs PAK Broadcast details

Match Timings- 11:30 AM (IST), 07:00 PM (Local)

Live Streaming– Fancode