New Zealand will look to complete whitewash when they face Pakistan in the 5^th T20I match at Christchurch on 21^st January 2024. Daryl Mitchell has been rested for tomorrow’s encounter as Rachin Ravindra has been included in the squad.

Glenn Phillips and Mitchell ensured that New Zealand recovered from 20 for 3 winning the match by 7 wickets with 11 balls to spare. It was a disciplined bowling performance by Kiwi bowlers as they restricted Pakistan to just 158 for 5.

On the other hand, Mohammad Rizwan top scored with 90 along with a quickfire knock by Mohammad Nawaz that helped Pakistan post 158 for 5. Shaheen Shah Afridi took 3 wickets in the first six overs, but the rest of the bowlers struggled not being able to pick any wickets afterwards.

The decision to play Devon Conway in the fifth T20I will be taken on matchday as he did not play the fourth match due to COVID.

Match Details

Details– New Zealand vs Pakistan, 5^th T20I

Venue– Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Date and Time– 21^st January, 5.30 AM IST

Pitch Report

The pitch at Hagley Oval was a good batting paradise. Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer for Pakistan with 90 runs while Nawaz scored a quickfire cameo that helped Pakistan post 158 for 5.

In reply, New Zealand lost 3 early wickets before Mitchell and Glenn Phillips made sure that they won the match by 7 wickets with 11 balls to spare. It promises to be another good batting paradise.

The captain that wins the toss would likely field first, restrict the opponent, and then chase down the target easily.

New Zealand (NZ) vs Pakistan (Pak)- Predicted Playing XI

New Zealand

Finn Allen, Will Young, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santer ©, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.

Pakistan

Saim Ayub, Mohammed Rizwan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi (C), Mohammad Wasim Junior, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan.

Fantasy Selection- NZ vs PAK

Team 1– Finn Allen, Saim Ayub, Rachin Ravindra, Babar Azam, Glenn Phillips, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mitchell Santer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Southee, Mohammed Wasim Junior, Matt Henry.

Team 2– Will Young, Mohammed Rizwan, Tim Seifert, Fakhar Zaman, Mark Chapman, Sahibzada Farhan, Adam Milne, Mohammad Nawaz, Tim Southee, Haris Rauf, Lockie Ferguson.

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The New Zealand Cricket Team are one of the improved teams when it comes to World Cups. They lost to England in a dramatic Super Over via boundary count during the 2019 World Cup.

Their team proves tough with top-quality batters who can play attacking shots and bowlers who could utilize the conditions making life tough for the opponents. Under the leadership of Kane Williamson, New Zealand would be hoping to go one better and win the title for the very first time.

Here we look at the SWOT Analysis of the New Zealand Team:

Strengths:

Kane Williamson will make a comeback in international cricket after 7 months after recovering from a knee injury. Their top order looks solid with the likes of Devon Conway and Finn Allen providing decent starts to the team. Kiwi’s batting order relies on Kane Williamson and leadership skills make him a brilliant skipper. He played a key role in helping New Zealand win their ODI series on Pakistani soil since 1976.

The bowling attack also looks strong with the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, and Matt Henry comprising pace bowling options. Mitchell Santer and Ish Sodhi will lead the spin bowling department that will create an impact on Indian pitches. Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson have the experience of playing in Indian conditions. They will play a key role in helping New Zealand put pressure on the opponents with their skills.

Weaknesses:

New Zealand batters’ inability to play spinners and with turning tracks, things can become worse. Kane Williamson is the only player who can counter-spin well. Other batters like Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips could find it tough in World Cup 2023.

The Kiwis team has a dismal record in One-day internationals on Indian soil. They played a total of 61 ODIs with the New Zealand team winning just 18 and losing 41. They need to improve their record in the upcoming World Cup to become the World Champion for the first time.

Opportunities:

New Zealand has done brilliantly in ICC tournaments since 2003. They are the only team to qualify for four successive semi-finals. Under the captaincy of Brendon McCullum, New Zealand reached the finals of the World Cup in 2015.

Kiwis made it into the finals of the 2019 World Cup after defeating India in the semi-finals. New Zealand has top-quality players that can change the course of the game and help them to win their first ICC title.

Threats:

New Zealand’s performance in World Cups on Indian soil has not been great. They played the 1987, 1996, and 2011 editions. Kiwis reached the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup losing to Sri Lanka. Their performance in 1986 and 1996 was not great.

During the 1987 World Cup, they won just 2 matches out of six and did not qualify for the semi-finals. Their performance in the 1996 World Cup held in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh they lost in the quarterfinals.

New Zealand will be facing India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan with top-quality spinners that might trouble the batters who lack experience of playing in Indian conditions. Apart from Devon Conway, and Glenn Phillips, none of the New Zealand batters need to play spin well of any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Squads:

Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young

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New Zealand’s depleted side drew 2-2 after a commanding 6-wicket win in the fifth and final T20I match played at Rawalpindi Cricket Ground, Rawalpindi on 24 April 2023.

Chasing down 194 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for the visitors as they lost wickets in the first over as Tom Latham and Will Young by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Chad Bowes looked positive with his intent to keep pressure on Pakistan bowlers. Imad Wasim struck getting rid of Bowes to leave New Zealand in trouble.

Mark Champan struggled against Ihsanullah in his first over. He then took the attack to Shahbad Khan in his first over putting him under pressure. Daryl Mitchell gave good support taking singles and hitting occasional boundaries.

Imad Wasim struck getting rid of Mitchell caught by Rauf at long-on. Champan and Mitchell added 47 runs for the 4^th wicket. Chapman then took the attack to the top-quality Pakistani bowling attack reaching his fifty off 30 deliveries. It was a brilliant batting display by Champan and Jimmy Neesham putting enough pressure to keep the scoreboard ticking at a quick pace.

Shahabad Khan dropped a simple chance to get rid of Chapman. Chapman took the advantage smashing Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and other Pakistan bowlers with ease to complete his maiden T20I century off 54 balls. He completed the job with a double helping New Zealand chase down the target easily with 4 deliveries to spare. Champan and Neesham added unbeaten 121 runs for the 5^th wicket. New Zealand won the match by six wickets to level the series at 2-2.

Mohammad Rizwan looked in great touch putting pressure on the Kiwi bowling lineup. Babar Azam scored 19 off 18 deliveries while Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub could not open their account.

Thanks to Iftikhar Ahmed 36 off 22 deliveries and Imad Wasim 31 off 14, Pakistan posted 193 for 5. Rizwan slowed down in the last 2 overs scoring just 14 runs from 11 balls.

Mark Chapman delivered the goods for New Zealand

Mark Chapman was at his best during the 5-match T20I series against Pakistan. He began the series with quickfire 34 off 27 deliveries, but New Zealand lost the match badly.  His performance continued as he made an unbeaten 65 from 40 balls as Kiwis could not register a win.

He contributed quickfire 16 off 9 deliveries without being dismissed. His performance in the fourth T20I at Rawalpindi was brilliant with an unbeaten 71 off 45 balls but rained spoil play.

Chapman scored match-winning century and helped New Zealand draw 2-2 series without their key players including Williamson, Southee, Boult, and other stars. Champan was named the player of the match for his unbeaten 104 and also the player of the series award for his 290 runs in 5 matches.

He made his T20I debut for Hong Kong on 16 March 2014 against Nepal. Played cricket for Hong Kong, Mark Chapman holds now New Zealand passport and making great strides to do well for his second country.

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New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Tim Southee are all set to miss a six-match series against India as New Zealand juggle their players to cope with the situation. Coach Gary Stead will also miss out on the series, with his assistant Luke Ronchi to coach the squad for the three ODIs followed by three Twenty20 internationals as well.

While the T20I squad is yet to be named, captain Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Stead won’t be included. Meanwhile, Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen confirmed on Monday that all three will return home after next month’s tour of Pakistan to start preparations for the home Test series against England, which will begin in mid-February.

“It’s a conveyor belt of cricket at international level,” Larsen told journalists. “We’ve got two very important Test matches against England, so bringing Kane and Tim back and letting them recharge their batteries mentally and physically is really, really crucial.”

However, Kane Williamson, last week quit the Test captaincy to veteran seamer Southee but he will remain the captain in the shortened formats as well. Meanwhile, a 17-player squad will play two ODI series – in Pakistan from January 10-14 and India from January 18-24 as well.

Kane Williamson will return in the series against Pakistan

Meanwhile, Mark Chapman and Jacob Duffy will replace Kane  Williamson and Southee in India, with Tom Latham leading the team as well. Pace bowler Trent Boult and allrounder Jimmy Neesham will also miss after declining NZC contracts and signing to play in Australia’s Big Bash T20 league as well, while pace bowler Kyle Jamieson remains unavailable with a back injury as well.

On the other hand, allrounder Henry Shipley is all set to make his international debut as well. Larsen said both series will be important for the world’s top-ranked ODI side before the Cricket World Cup in India next October-November as well.

New Zealand squad for the ODI series in Pakistan and India:

Kane Williamson (capt, Pakistan only), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman (India only), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy (India only), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (capt against India), Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (Pakistan only)

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