The New Zealand-Pakistan T20I series is now headed 2-0 by the Kiwis. The third T20I will be held on Friday, March 21, at Eden Park in Auckland.

The New Zealand cricket team comprehensively thrashed the Pakistani visitors in the current five-match T20I series. The Men in Green were knocked out of the 2024 T20 World Cup group stage after defeats against the USA and India and understood that they needed to make a drastic transformation. But performances are not seen in the shortest form of the game.

Earlier in that series, Pakistan lost the very first match resoundingly. The Men in Green could score only 91 runs, and the Black Caps underlined their total in the eleventh over. The visitors also took the second T20I by five wickets. The Green Army scored 135 runs in 15 overs. The Black Caps chased their total in 13.1 overs and led 2-0.

New Zealand is now one win away from securing the series against Salman Ali Agha and his team, as they face Pakistan in the third T20I on March 21 at Eden Park in Auckland. Having won the first two matches, New Zealand, with some of their top stars missing, now has their eyes on the trophy.

Match Preview

New Zealand

Opening batsmen Finn Allen and Tim Seifert were vital for aggressive starts. Particularly in the recent second T20I against Pakistan, Seifert managed 45 runs of 22 balls, while Allen added 38 runs of 16. Middle-order batsmen Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman brought solidity in overs past the Powerplay. Mitchell has amassed close to 1,500 runs in T20I cricket.

All-rounder James Neesham offers further depth through his explosive batting and seam bowling. Internationally, the all-rounder has made almost 1,000 runs and more than 230 wickets in T20Is. Wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay has been a promising player in recent games together with captain Michael Bracewell. Hay began unbeaten with 21 runs in the last T20I.

Captain Bracewell, who captains the team, contributes both on the bat as well as being an off-spin bowler.

Emerging talent Zakary Foulkes is likely to create waves with his right-arm medium pace. Fast bowlers Ben Sears and Jacob Duffy have been bowling strongly in the recent games. Sears picked two wickets for 23 runs in the second T20I against Pakistan, while Duffy too picked two wickets for 20 runs.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi remains one of the important players, who regularly picks important wickets, including two in the recent game against Pakistan.

Pakistan

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris's strokeplay is stylish and aggressive. He will try to counter the new ball. He has made 14 half-centuries in all of T20 cricket. But at the international level, he has not yet established himself as anything more than a hard competitor.

Hasan Nawaz has two ducks in two games and is under pressure to solidify his place by converting his potential into meaningful contributions. Captain Salman Ali Agha provides experience and solidity to the middle order, as evident from his recent 46 runs from 28 balls against New Zealand in the second T20I.

All-around talent in the team is added by the likes of Shadab Khan and Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris's strokeplay is stylish and aggressive. He will try to counter the new ball. He has made 14 half-centuries in all of T20 cricket. But at the international level, he has not yet established himself as anything more than a hard competitor.

Emerging players such as Irfan Khan and Abdul Samad provide solidity to middle-order batting. Khan began his career with an ongoing strike rate of 133.06.

The bowling attack will be spearheaded by left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi. He will take the new ball at express pace. Haris Rauf supports him with his pace and wicket-taking potential, which he showed with two wickets in the previous match. Afridi has been very costly in recent games and can turn into a liability when out of form.

All-rounder Jahandad Khan also adds more balance to the side with his left-handed medium-fast bowling and left-handed batting. He has seven T20I wickets from his first seven T20I appearances. The absence of pace Jahandad has demonstrated could make him the perfect bowler to observe.

Pitch Report

Eden Park in Auckland is famous for its small dimensions, with square boundaries measuring about 65 meters and straight boundaries just over 55 meters. These measurements definitely give an edge to the batsmen, making it a challenge for bowlers to keep the runs in check. Plus, the humid, subtropical climate often leads to pitches that are more favorable for slow and spin bowlers.

Toss Prediction

In recent T20I matches in Auckland, teams that batted first have had great success, so it’s likely that both captains will aim to bat first if they win the coin toss before the game.

Weather Report

As for the weather, Auckland is expected to have a minimal 5% chance of rain, with sunny skies and temperatures climbing up to 23 degrees Celsius.

Head to Head

The hosts have really made things tough for their visitors in the last five T20Is. The Black Caps have come out on top in four of those matches and have also won four out of their last five overall. On the flip side, Pakistan has struggled, losing four of their last five games.

Venue Details

Eden Park is an iconic stadium that has seen some impressive scores over the years. When the team batting first takes to the field under the floodlights on Friday night, we can expect a par score of over 200.

Match Prediction

Given the clear class difference shown in the first two matches, it seems that only a lack of focus could stop New Zealand from taking a 3-0 lead and wrapping up the series quickly. While Pakistan might step up their game, we’re leaning towards another win for the home team.

We’re all in for a New Zealand victory!

Betting Tips

Pakistan has been feeling the heat on this tour. Their lack of experience could be a hurdle, especially since some of the newcomers haven't faced these conditions before. The team has shown improvement from the first game to the second, but they still have a long way to go. It seems like the home team is the favorite in this matchup.

Place your bets on a New Zealand victory.

Probable Playing XI

New Zealand Playing XI

Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears. 

Pakistan Playing XI

Mohammad Haris (wk), Omair Yousuf, Salman Agha (c), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi. 

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New Zealand Key Players

Tim Seifert has been the highest scorer of New Zealand in two consecutive matches with 45 and 44 runs in the tournament. He has scored 89 runs altogether in the tournament, at an impressive average of 44.50.

Jacob Duffy was New Zealand's best wicket-taker in the first T20I match, claiming four wickets in 3.4 overs. He was the leading wicket-taker in the last match, with two.

Finn Allen New Zealand's opening batsman, scored 29 and 38 runs in the first and second matches, respectively. He's in his best form going into this game.

Pakistan Key Players

Haris Rauf One of the star pacers during the series and picked up two wickets during the last game. The highlight seamer is likely to make the hosts' batting order threat in this match.

Agha Salman The Pakistani captain has scored 18 and 46 runs in the first and second matches, respectively. He seems to be in good touch going into this match.