ISLAMABAD: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bowl first in 3rd T20I against New Zealand at Auckland.
Teams
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears
Pakistan: Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (c), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf
Under the leadership of Agha Salman, Pakistan has faced a tumultuous journey in the T20I series, suffering defeats in both previous matches—first at Hagley Oval in Christchurch and then succumbing to a five-wicket loss in Dunedin.
As the action shifts to Auckland, Pakistan finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with pressing concerns. Their batting lineup has been erratic, while their bowlers have struggled to make an impact.
Hasan Nawaz, the young opener making his debut series for Pakistan, has yet to find his footing, with speculation swirling about whether he might be replaced by Omair Yousuf or shifted to a different position in the batting order.
Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi has also been underwhelming, having been taken apart for 26 runs in a single over by Seifert in the last match. The team will be looking for a resurgence from him as they prepare for the critical clash.
On the opposite side, New Zealand’s bowlers have been nothing short of stellar, capitalizing on home advantage to keep Pakistan’s batters on their toes throughout the series.
With their batting generally holding steady, they will be eager for more robust performances from their middle order to back up the openers in case they falter in the upcoming games.
With several players from Pakistan struggling with form, the third T20I represents a pivotal moment for the visitors. They may consider shaking up their roster by dropping a few underperformers from the playing XI, as highlighted below.
Hasan Nawaz’s Struggles in NZ T20Is
The promising opener Hasan Nawaz has had a rough outing in the T20I series against New Zealand, succumbing to two consecutive ducks.
Despite showing intent, he has found it challenging to handle the Kiwi pace attack, particularly against the swinging ball.
Given his struggles in the top order, Pakistan might contemplate swapping him out for either Usman Khan or Omair Bin Yousuf.
Mohammad Ali’s Performance in NZ T20Is
Pace bowler Mohammad Ali has not been at his best in the New Zealand T20Is, having conceded 59 runs and claiming just one wicket across two matches.
With an economy rate of 11.80, he has failed to contain runs, while a strike rate of 30 underscores his mediocrity as a wicket-taker.
In light of his lacklustre performance, the team management may consider replacing him with Abbas Afridi or Abrar Ahmed.
Abdul Samad’s Disappointment in NZ T20Is
Finisher Abdul Samad has struggled to meet expectations in the T20Is against New Zealand, managing a mere 18 runs over two innings at a dismal average of nine and a strike rate of 94.74.
Over 18 T20 innings, he has accumulated just 258 runs at a modest average of 17.20. Meanwhile, Irfan Khan Niazi has also faced difficulties, but his overall T20I record (165 runs, average 27.5, SR 133.1) could lead the Pakistani think tank to retain him for another match.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s head coach Aqib Javed has hinted at potential changes to the squad, emphasizing the need for a must-win performance in Auckland.
Despite the setbacks in the earlier matches, Javed remains hopeful, believing that the adjustments will bolster their chances.
In his interactions with the media, Javed stressed the importance of building a robust squad for the forthcoming Asia Cup and World Cup, asserting that experiences in challenging conditions like those in New Zealand will better equip the team for the high-stakes tournaments ahead.
“The team is young, but we are here to win the series. Our performances are improving, and we will fight back in Auckland,” Javed expressed confidently, displaying unwavering faith in his team’s ability to bounce back.
With Pakistan on a quest for redemption in the third T20I, all eyes will be on their strategic adjustments as they strive to keep the series alive.
