MOUNT MAUNGANUI: Batting revival was always going to be key for Pakistan to bounce back in the Twenty20 International series in New Zealand.
Especially after Pakistan became the first side ever to inflict a 5-0 whitewash and then were whitewashed by the same margin in the very next series. Their problems mounted when they were swatted aside in the first T20I but a clinical show in the second game means they now have a chance to end the tour end with a silverware.
Pakistan’s top four - Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Sarfraz Ahmed and Babar Azam - all came up with handy contributions in Auckland to give the bowlers the much-needed cushion. Pakistan did well to rectify the problem of losing too many wickets upfront.
For New Zealand, Trent Boult, Seth Rance, Ben Wheeler and Mitchell Santner all went for plenty and that meant the batsmen were left with too much to do. It’ll be crucial the bowlers step up in the series decider like they’ve done so far against the touring side.
The Pakistan win was something the series desperately needed. New Zealand will be well aware that they can’t afford a slip-up and suffer a series loss in front of the home crowd. Pakistan will also be aware that they need to be far more consistent than just a one-off win in between a series of losses.
The hosts have adopted a rotation policy for this series to manage the workload of their bowlers. They will, however, contemplate fielding the best possible XI with the series on the line. There is no clarity yet if Colin Munro will recover in time for the clash from his injury. Tim Southee has been included in the squad for the all-important clash.
Pakistan: After their win the last game, it’s highly unlikely the Pakistan think-tank will make any changes.
“That’s been our plan throughout the series in the first six overs to actually survive. Openers won’t be able to do that in the One Day International series but in this particular match we managed to do that. Because of that, we got a lot of confidence from the opening stand and also from the fact that how our batters performed well in the death overs of the game and that what give us a lot of confidence” - Babar Azam.
Teams (from): New Zealand: Kane Williamson(c), Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Tom Bruce, Glenn Phillips, Colin de Grandhomme, Anaru Kitchen, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Wheeler, Seth Rance, Trent Boult.
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed(c), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Umar Amin, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees.
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