Pakistan vs New Zealand, PAK vs NZ, Today Match Prediction 24 April 2023

pak vs nz Match Prediction & Analysis

The hosts Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the fifth and final game of the five-match T20I series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Monday.

Currently, Pakistan is leading this series by a 2-1 margin with one match to go. The hosts won the first two games of this series by 88 runs, and 38 runs respectively. Skipper Babar Azam will be hoping that the side can deliver the goods in this series finale.

On the other hand, New Zealand lacks experience in the batting and bowling department.  In fourth T20I game, New Zealand showcased decent effort with the bat before severe showers lashed across the ground. BlackCaps skipper Tom Latham will be hoping that the side can deliver a disciplined performance with bat and ball.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pakistan Preview

The hosts have played excellent cricket against New Zealand in this T20I series. The Green Shirts will not make any changes to their playing for this series finale.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the top-order trio of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman to deliver the bulk of the runs.

Saim Ayyub, Iftikhar Ahmad, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan have made decent contributions with the bat so far in this T20I series.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the pace quartet of Shaheen Afridi, Zaman Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf to provide crucial breakthroughs.

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim will be looking to provide control in the middle overs of the innings. In the previous match, left-arm spinner Imad Wasim was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan and claimed 3 for 19 in her four overs.

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, Zaman Khan

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

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

New Zealand Preview

After losing the first two matches, New Zealand have delivered decent batting performances in the next two matches.

Middle-order Mark Chapman (71 off 42 balls) and opener Chad Bowes (54 off 38 balls) played superbly in the previous game and they will need to continue their decent form in this game as well. With 186 runs at a strike rate of 157.63, Mark Chapman is leading the batting charts for New Zealand in this T20I series.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on skipper Tom Latham, in-form Mark Chapman, Chad Bowes, all-rounders James Neesham and Daryl Mitchell to do bulk of the scoring.

In this T20I series, Pacer Matt Henry has got six wickets in three matches while James Neesham has taken five wickets in three matches.

In the bowling department, the side will be depending on the likes of Matt Henry, Adam Milne, James Neesham and Henry Shipley to deliver timely breakthroughs.

Besides pacers, Rachin Ravindra and Ish Sodhi have done a decent job for Kiwis in the middle overs of the innings.

New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

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

New Zealand Actual Playing XI:

Tom Latham, Mark Chapman, Blair Tickner, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Chad Bowes, James Neesham, Henry Shipley, Daryl Mitchell

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

With clear skies with light winds expected for Monday’s match, the wicket prepared for the game at Rawalpindi will offer nice and bounce to the seamers.

Venue Details

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

Toss: To Bowl

Both the sides will be keen to win the toss, bowl first and restrict the opposing team to less than 170 runs. The previous match played at the venue was abandoned due to heavy showers followed by hailstorm.