As the cricketing action moves to the picturesque Hagley Oval in Christchurch, the fourth T20 International of the exciting five-match series between New Zealand and Pakistan is scheduled for January 19. With New Zealand already having claimed the series, their sights are now firmly set on achieving a whitewash over a Pakistani side that has struggled to find its rhythm in the previous matches.
Pakistan, led by the spirited Shaheen Afridi, have shown an inability to chase higher scores which has been a significant factor in their inability to secure a win in the series. Their bowling attack, typically known for its potency, has been less effective than usual, and has been consistently undone by the Kiwi batsmen in every encounter.
The series having already slipped from their grasp, the Men in Green are desperately seeking to salvage pride and build momentum with the T20 World Cup on the horizon. With not a single international win post the ODI World Cup — having suffered defeats in three Test matches in Australia and the trio of T20Is in New Zealand — the Pakistani squad is in dire need of a morale-boosting performance.
Hagley Oval, known for its batsman-friendly pitch, promises to offer an excellent surface for batting with the added intrigue of providing sufficient bounce to appeal to bowlers. Historically, the venue has witnessed eleven T20I matches, with the highest score being a whopping 208 and the highest successful run chase pegged at 174. Going by the numbers and past performances, the team that wins the toss might opt to set a total, given the nature of the pitch.
Taking a closer at the T20I track record at Hagley Oval:
– Total T20I Matches Played: 11
– Victories Batting First: 5
– Victories Batting Second: 6
– Average First Innings Score: 164
– Highlight Score: New Zealand’s 208/5 against Bangladesh
– Record Chase: Pakistan’s 177/3, also against Bangladesh
The squads are brimming with talent, with New Zealand boasting a heady mix of youth and experience. The line-up includes explosive players such as Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, and the reliable Tim Southee, along with Lockie Ferguson’s raw pace. The inclusion of the all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who takes on the captaincy mantle, adds significant depth to the team.
Pakistan’s team sheet similarly presents a plethora of capable players. With the likes of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam at the helm, the batting order has the potential to mount an imposing total or chase one down. The bowling attack, featuring the likes of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi himself, will be looking to bounce back and disrupt the Kiwi batting stronghold.
New Zealand Squad: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert(w), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Will Young, Ben Sears
Pakistan Squad: Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan(w), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi(c), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, Usama Mir, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Haseebullah Khan, Sahibzada Farhan, Abrar Ahmed
While New Zealand sails on momentum, Pakistan stands at a juncture requiring a revival of spirit and tactics. All eyes will be on Hagley Oval, where every run scored and every wicket taken will edge the teams closer to their respective goals in this high-stakes T20I encounter.
