High Flying New Zealand Look to Close Out Series Against Deflated Pakistan

The cricket team of New Zealand is flying! In the first two T20I series matches, they have trounced Pakistan even without some of their finest players. Join baji for more cricket news. 

Pakistan has struggled, on the other hand. Their complete team was out in the first game for barely 91 runs. Pakistan continued yielding their wickets readily, even in the second game. 

Pakistan has to fast progress in the third match in Auckland on Friday if they are to remain in the five-match series.

Pakistan's Difficult Period

Pakistan is without some quite significant players. Young Saim Ayub is also hurt; their key hitters, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, are not playing. As a result, Pakistan finds it difficult to identify strong openers. 

Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Haris are fresh batches. However, they have found it challenging to use quick and bouncy pitches.

Salman Agha performed admittedly in the second game, scoring 46 runs off 28 balls. Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi also helped Pakistan accumulate 135 runs in 15 overs, adding some fast runs at the end. 

Usually relatively strong, Pakistan's bowlers failed to stop New Zealand's batters from scoring effortlessly.

Winning Strategies from New Zealand

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, the opening hitters from New Zealand, have been relentless. In the second game, Seifert even struck 26 runs off one over against Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan's finest bowler! The bowlers from New Zealand have also been rather outstanding. 

Taking eighteen catches over two games, they have been performing flawlessly together.

Pakistan must act two-fold if they want to succeed in Auckland:

1. Win the toss, then bat first.

2. Get Allen and Seifert out fast before they rack too many runs.

Pakistan's Opportunity for Rebuilding

From their last five games, Pakistan has not won a T20I match. This losing run got underway in December of last year. 

They also attempt to forget their underwhelming Champions Trophy performance here at home. Their best possibility to increase their confidence is winning in Auckland.

Individuals to Keep Watching: Hasan Nawaz and James Neesham

James Neesham, New Zealand

After skipping a few games, James Neesham is back on the New Zealand team. In the second game, he scored five runs while taking two wickets. 

For New Zealand, particularly in crucial games, Neesham was once a major contributor. He wants to demonstrate that he still possesses the necessary skills to support his team in victory.

Hasan Nawaz, Pakistan

Hasan Nawaz's international career is starting to become problematic. Over his first two games, he has not scored any runs. 

He got out in both games, swiping furiously at the ball. He can succeed since he was among Pakistan's top hitters in the domestic Champions T20 Cup. He must score runs quickly if he is to remain on the team.

Possible Team Line-Ups

New Zealand (probably):

1. Tim Seifert

2. Finn Allen

3. Mark Chapman

4. Daryl Mitchell

5. James Neesham

6. Mitchell Hay (wk)

7. Michael Bracewell (capt)

8. Zakary Foukes

9. Ish Sodhi

10. Kyle Jamieson

11. Ben Sears / Jacob Duffy

New Zealand could bring back Kyle Jamieson and rest Jacob Duffy for this game.

Pakistan (probably):

1. Muhammad Haris (wk)

2. Hasan Nawaz

3. Salman Agha (capt)

4. Irfan Khan

5. Shadab Khan

6. Khushdil Shah

7. Abdul Samad

8. Jahandad Khan

9. Shaheen Afridi

10. Abrar Ahmed

11. Mohammad Ali

Should Pakistan wish to modify their bowling attack, Abbas Afridi might take Mohammad Ali's position.

What Should One Expect from Auckland

Eden Park in Auckland is renowned for producing highly scoring games. The first teams to bat have dominated most recent contests. Friday's projected lack of rain allows supporters to savor a match under the lights.

Fascinating Figures

• Finn Allen enjoys the challenge of playing against Pakistan. In 11 innings, he has scored 433 runs, including two fifties and one hundred.

• Ish Sodhi will rank second most capped T20I player for New Zealand if he plays on Friday.

• Haris Rauf requires just two more wickets to achieve 200 international marks.

Can Pakistan Change Things Around?

Pakistan still has a chance to fight back even though New Zealand is very certain to win the series. They have to play smarter cricket to do that. Could Pakistan stop New Zealand's charge and save the series? We shall find out in Auckland!

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