Pakistan vs New Zealand, PAK vs NZ, Today Match Prediction 20 April 2023

pak vs nz Match Prediction & Analysis

Pakistan and New Zealand will face off in the fourth T20I of the five-match series in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

The Green Shirts will be looking to make amends after failing to win the previous match against New Zealand. Captain Babar Azam will be disappointed with his side’s overall batting performance in the 3rd T20I and hoping for an improved performance in this fixture.

On the other hand, New Zealand will come in the contest high on confidence after pulling off a close win over Pakistan.With losing their first two matches of the T20I series, the Black Caps cannot afford any more slipups against Pakistan

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pakistan Preview

The home team will be bitterly disappointed after a four-run defeat against New Zealand in the 3rd T20I played on Monday.

In the batting department, the home side will be heavily relying on the likes of aggressive opener Saim Ayyub, wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan, captain Babar Azam, power-hitter Iftikhar Ahmed, all-rounder duo of Shadab Khan, and Imad Wasim to score the bulk of the runs in this contest.

The power-hitter Iftikhar Ahmed finding form with the bat is huge positive for the team management as he nearly managed to pull off a famous win over New Zealand. He played exceedingly well and scored a brisk 60 off just 24 balls with the help of three fours and six sixes. Besides Iftikhar, Faheem Ashraf scored 27 runs off 14 balls with the help of two boundaries and two sixes.

On the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of spinners Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan along with pacers Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi to produce timely breakthroughs. 

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Zaman Khan, Shaheen Afridi

New Zealand Preview

The visitors will enter the contest hoping to level the five-match T20I series on Thursday.

The spin duo of Ish Sodhi and Rachin Ravindra played a huge role in the team’s success on Monday as he claimed three important wickets and did not allow Pakistan to score easy runs in the middle overs of the innings.

After registering their first win of the series, the chances are that Tom Latham-led unit will go in with the same lineup for the game on Monday.

In the batting department, the visitors will be relying on the likes of in-form captain Tom Latham, opener Chad Bowes, Will Young, the middle-order trio of Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell and James Neesham to score the bulk of the runs.

For New Zealand, captain Tom Latham produced excellent innings of 64 runs off 49 balls in the previous match. Left-hander is expected to continue his merry ways with the bat in this must-win contest.

In the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Adam Milne, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi and Rachin Ravindra to produce timely breakthroughs. 

In the previous match, James Neesham was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand and claimed 3 for 38 in his four overs.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Latham (c & wk), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Ben Lister

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Tom Latham, Cole McConchie, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

With weather forecast not being far from ideal, the wicket prepared for the match will have something for the quick bowlers. Light rain showers are expected to take place throughout the day.

Venue Details

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi is going to host the 4th T20I of the series between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Pakistan will take heart from the fact that they have all their three T20I matches played at this venue.

Toss: To Bowl

Both the sides will be keen to win the toss, bowl first and restrict the opposition to less than 175 runs. The average first inning score at Rawalpindi is around 140 runs.