After back-to-back thumpings, New Zealand will lock horns against Pakistan for the 3rd T20I of the five-match series on Tuesday. The Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore will continue to host the event for one last time in the ongoing bilateral contest. The last two T20I contests of the series will take place at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Pindi.
Pakistan has commanded well in their home so far. In the first match, they enforced a humiliating defeat to a comparatively inexperienced New Zealand side, winning by a comprehensive 88 runs. Winning the toss, Babar Azam had opted to bat first.
Despite a poor start from the experienced opening duo of Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam, Pakistan managed to get past the 180 runs mark. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub gelled 47 runs each in the middle order. With some brisk contributions from Imad Wasim and Faheem Ashraf lower down the batting order, they managed 182 runs in 19.5 overs.
Arriving for the chase, New Zealand batters failed to settle themselves against the ruthless Pakistan pace bowling attack. Zaman Khan and Shaheen Afridi struck early and pushed them on the back foot. Only Tom Latham (20) and Mark Chapman (34) could hang around for a while for the Black Caps. The rest others fell like nine pins and were tumbled for 94 at the end of 15.3 overs.
The home side continued their good form in the next game as well. Once again they won the toss and asked the opposition to bowl first. They got 192 runs on the board on the back of a phenomenal century from skipper Babar Azam and a well-tailored half-century from wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Rizwan. Some lusty blows from Iftikhar Ahmed late down the order helped Pakistan go past the 190-run mark.
The tourists got a better start in this game and were wicketless inside the powerplay. Right after, spin was introduced and Shadab Khan edged past the Kiwi skipper and trapped leg before wicket. Fellow opener Chad Bowes followed him to the pavilion in the next over.
Once again it was Mark Chapman who looked the better batter for the Black Caps and went on to pile up 65 runs from 40 balls. An all-out lower-order folding followed and the Kiwis’ tally came to an end when the scoreboard displayed 154-7.
What have they done so far?
As expected Pakistan has been dominating in their own backyard so far and are leading the series 2-0. Moreover, they have a full-strength playing XI at the moment which is bound to eclipse a callow New Zealand line-up. Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, and Ish Sodhi are the only experienced personnel in their playing XI.
The top order has been fantastic for the home side. All their top four batters have failed in one encounter and scored runs in the other one. Iftikhar Ahmed has been doing his role really well. From the bowling point of view, the department is working together as a force with Haris Rauf leading the charts with eight wickets. The pacers – Zaman Khan and Shaheen Afridi have been brilliant with great succor from Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim.
Matt Henry took a hat-trick in the first T20I against Pakistan
On the other hand, Mark Chapman has been the only positive in the batting department for New Zealand. In the absence of Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, and Glenn Phillips, the replacements have failed to fill the void. Bowling has been decent for them as the workhorses have gone for runs in both matches. Matt Henry has been the best bowler for them with five wickets which includes a hat-trick from the first match.
Head-to-Head Record
Both nations have played 31 T20I matches with each other and it’s the Asian nation that leads the tally with 20 victories. New Zealand has fetched 11 wins with no tied matches. In the series, Pakistan leads by 2-0.
Key Players
Haris Rauf is the leading wicket-taker of the series with 8 scalps
Haris Rauf (Pakistan): The Pakistan speed gun has been hitting the right areas in the series and has rushed the batters with pace. He managed to grab eight wickets in just two matches. Rauf is someone who hits the deck hard and has been effective with the slightly older ball.
Mark Chapman (New Zealand): If there has to be one batter who has attracted the eyes of the fans, it has to be Mark Chapman. In the absence of regular members, the left-handed batter has glued 99 runs from 2 innings with an average of 44.50. If not for him, the Kiwis would’ve witnessed even more shambolic defeats.
Predicted XIs
Pakistan: Mohammed Rizwan, Babar Azam ©, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
New Zealand: Chad Bowes, Tom Latham ©, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Daryll Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Ish Sodhi, Henry Shipley
Prediction
Although the Kiwis have showcased some valiant fights with a relatively amateur side, they don’t sound like the better side on paper. The momentum is with the home team and a full-strength unit is tough to be shadowed.