With the Twenty20 International series between New Zealand and Pakistan tied at one game each, all eyes turn to Wellington for the third and deciding match. Join The Roar for live scores from 5pm (AEDT).
New Zealand will be feeling the pressure to secure a win on home soil today, with a three match one-day series to follow.
After New Zealand went down badly in the first game, it was a must that they bounced back in the second, which they did in convincing fashion.
It was a cruel defeat for Pakistan who would have been confident of wrapping the series up having posted 171 runs in the first game, before keeping New Zealand to just 155.
However, the second match in the series was a complete role reversal. Pakistan would again bat first, compiling a score of 7 for 168 with Umar Akmal making a blistering 56 off just 27 balls to drastically increase Pakistan’s total in the closing stages.
The score had Pakistan looking competitive, but that was until New Zealand’s opening batsmen Martin Guptill and superstar Kane Williamson came out to bat and knocked the total off like they were playing a team of schoolboys. New Zealand would finish none for 171 off just 17.4 overs in one of the best Twenty20 run chases you are ever likely to see.
Guptill would finish on 87, with Williamson on 72.
The key element, by the looks of things coming into this third game are the opening batsmen. Getting off to a good start is absolutely key, and was showcased by New Zealand in the second game as they went all the way to the target, but also in the first game by Mohammed Hafeez who went on to score 61.
With both teams having very powerful middle orders, building a proper platform for them to use that power is essential for victory.
Overall in T20 cricket, Pakistan certainly hold the edge over New Zealand having won eight of the 13 games played between the two nations.
Prediction:
It’s a tough one to tip, but as long as New Zealand are able to play their best XI and have no one missing due to injury or other problems then you feel they should be able to get the job done in a close one.
Join The Roar for live scores of the third T20 match between New Zealand and Pakistan from 5pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to leave a comment in the section below throughout the game.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
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