New Zealand vs Pakistan, 5th T20I: Hosts Aim for Series Whitewash
Date: January 21, 2023
Time: 5:30 AM IST
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
New Zealand is gearing up to face Pakistan in the final T20I of the five-match series at Hagley Oval on Sunday, January 21. With an unassailable 4-0 lead, the hosts are eyeing a series whitewash.
In the previous encounter, New Zealand secured a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan, showcasing resilience after an early batting collapse. Chasing Pakistan’s total of 158 runs, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips orchestrated a remarkable comeback with an unbeaten 139-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Key Highlights from the Previous Match:
Pakistan Batting: Pakistan posted a total of 158/5 in 20 overs. Opener Saim Ayub fell early, and skipper Babar Azam departed soon after the powerplay. Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 90 guided Pakistan to a competitive total.
New Zealand Batting: New Zealand’s top order struggled, losing three wickets within three overs. Daryl Mitchell (72 off 44) and Glenn Phillips (70 off 52) scripted a comeback, steering their team to victory in the 19th over.
Head-to-Head Stats:
Matches Played: 38
New Zealand Wins: 17
Pakistan Wins: 20
No Result: 1
With four consecutive wins, New Zealand has shifted the head-to-head record in their favor, setting the stage for an exciting series conclusion.
Pitch Report:
The Hagley Oval features a shorter straight boundary, encouraging batsmen to target that area. The venue hasn’t witnessed high-scoring games, hinting at a competitive encounter.
Weather Report:
The weather is expected to be sunny, with no rain predicted on match day. The temperature is likely to be around 25 degrees Celsius, with 1% precipitation and 69% humidity.
Probable XIs:
New Zealand:
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson
Pakistan:
Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
Match Prediction:
Considering New Zealand’s dominant form in the series, they are the favorites to clinch the final T20I and complete a 5-0 whitewash.
Prediction: New Zealand to win the match.
As the teams gear up for the final showdown, cricket enthusiasts are in for an exciting match at Hagley Oval, with New Zealand aiming to assert their dominance, while Pakistan looks to salvage pride in the last encounter of the series.