Pakistan has elected to bowl first against New Zealand in the crucial third T20I match at Eden Park, Auckland. This is a must-win game for the Green Shirts, who are currently down 2-0 in the five-match series. A New Zealand victory today would secure them the series win.
Pakistan has made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Abbass Afridi and Abrar Ahmed, while Muhammad Ali and Jhandad Khan have been dropped.
The Salman Ali Agha-led side is looking to bounce back after two disappointing defeats, where the players failed to deliver up to expectations.
The article provided references a game earlier in the series. It is important to check if you need all the recap. It is possible eliminate all text from “Earlier this week..”
The recap section is confusing as it mixes information and results from what appear to be two different games: a full match in Dunedin, and a rain shortened match in what could be the same location.
It has been included below.
Earlier this week, New Zealand beat Pakistan by five wickets at the University Oval in Dunedin to go 2-0 up in the five-match T20I series.
In that rain-shortened duel, reduced to 15 overs a side, Pakistan, after being put into bat first, scored 135 for nine, captain Salman Ali Agha top scoring at 46 from 28 balls. Shadab Khan (26) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (22 not out)were other contributors. Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy and James Neesham each took two wickets for the hosts.
New Zealand chased the target in 13.1 overs, with openers Tim Seifert (45) and Finn Allen (38) setting a solid foundation with a 66-run partnership. Haris Rauf was Pakistan’s most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 20 runs.