New Zealand vs Pakistan

NZ vs PAK Betting Tips

Pakistan have struggled to come to grips with the differing conditions of New Zealand. They have had two games where they have been beaten by decent margins, but seem to be making small strides as the series moves on. New Zealand will continue to play to its strengths with a strong seam attack and clever T20 batters.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Bengaluru Head-to-Head Record

The hosts have made life unbearable for their visitors in the last five T20Is against them. The Black Caps have won four out of the last five matches against them, while winning four of their last five overall too. Pakistan have lost four of their last five matches overall.

New Zealand vs Pakistan Live-streaming and Broadcast

The third T20I between New Zealand and Pakistan will be available in India via the Sony Sports Network and the Sony LIV app. The match is scheduled for Friday, 21 March 2024 at Eden Park, Auckland.

NZ vs PAK Team Previews

New Zealand

Opening batters Tim Seifert and Finn Allen have been pivotal in setting aggressive starts. Notably, in the recent second T20I against Pakistan, Seifert scored 45 off 22 balls, while Allen contributed 38 off 16. Middle-order batters Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell provide stability through the overs post-powerplay. Mitchell has almost 1500 T20I runs.

All-rounder James Neesham adds depth with his explosive batting and seam bowling. Internationally, the all-rounder has almost 1000 runs and over 230 wickets in T20Is. Wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay has shown promise alongside captain Michael Bracewell in recent matches. Hay made a start with 21 runs unbeaten in the previous T20I.

Skipper Bracewell, leading the side, contributes both with the bat and as an off-spin bowler.

Emerging talent Zakary Foulkes is anticipated to make an impact with his right-arm medium pace. Fast bowlers Ben Sears and Jacob Duffy have been effective in recent outings. Sears claimed two wickets for 23 runs in the second T20I against Pakistan, while Duffy also secured two wickets for 20 runs.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi continues to be a key asset, consistently taking crucial wickets, including two in the recent match against Pakistan.

New Zealand Expected Playing 11

Pakistan

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris’ stroke play is aggressive and stylish. He will look to counter-attack against the new ball. He has 14 half-centuries in all T20 cricket. He still has to prove himself at the international level as anything more than a slogger, though.

Hasan Nawaz has two ducks in two matches and will be under pressure to solidify his position by converting potential into substantial contributions. Captain Salman Ali Agha brings experience and stability to the middle order, exemplified by his recent 46 off 28 balls against New Zealand in the second T20I.

The squad's all-round capabilities are bolstered by players like Shadab Khan and Khushdil Shah. Shadab, serving as vice-captain, is admired for his leg-spin and athletic fielding. He has over 700 T20I runs and over 100 T20I wickets. Khushdil, a left-handed middle-order batter, is renowned for his power-hitting abilities and useful few overs of spin.

Emerging talents such as Irfan Khan and Abdul Samad add depth to the middle order batting. Khan has started his career in resounding fashion with a batting strike rate that currently sits at 133.06.

The bowling attack is spearheaded by left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi. He will swing the new ball at high speeds. Haris Rauf joins him with his express pace and wicket-taking ability. He showed that with two wickets in the previous match. Afridi has been quite expensive in recent matches and can be a liability when not in form.

All-rounder Jahandad Khan, with his left-arm medium-fast bowling and left-handed batting, adds further balance to the team. He has seven T20I wickets in his opening seven T20Is. The lack of pace that Jahandad showed might make him the perfect bowler to target.

Pakistan Expected Playing 11

NZ vs PAK Toss Prediction

Both times this T20I series, New Zealand have won by chasing. They may not fancy changing the strategy for this game. Pakistan could look to do the same and follow in the home side’s winning footsteps.

Pitch and Conditions

Eden Park in Auckland is renowned for its compact dimensions, with square boundaries measuring approximately 65 metres and straight boundaries just over 55 metres. These measurements heavily favour batters, making it challenging for bowlers to contain runs. Additionally, the ground's humid, subtropical conditions often produce pitches that assist slow and spin bowlers.

The last time New Zealand and Pakistan met at Eden Park in a T20I, they produced over 400 runs in the match.

Friday’s weather is expected to be sunny and humid. There will be a 15 percent chance of rain, particularly in the evening. Temperatures will be warm, but may feel more extreme because of the humidity.

NZ vs PAK: Who Will Win?

Pakistan have been under the pump this tour. Their inexperience may count against them because a number of fresh faces would not have experienced these conditions. The side has improved from game one to game two, but still hasn’t managed to do enough. The home team should be the favourites.

Bet on New Zealand to win this match