Pakistan vs New Zealand, 5th T20I: PAK vs NZ Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details

NZ vs PAK (Photo Source: Twitter)

Pakistan and New Zealand will be up against each other in the fifth and final T20I of the series on Monday, April 24, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. The Babar Azam-led side is leading the series 2-1 after the fourth T20I got washed out at the same venue.

Pakistan started the series with back-to-back wins at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. In the first T20I, they defended a total of 182 and registered an 88-run win over the Kiwis. In the second T20, they defended 192 to beat the visitors by 38 runs.

Being 2-0 down in the series, Tom-Latham inspired his side to make a comeback in the series with his brilliant 64-run knock of 49 balls. Courtesy of his innings, the Kiwis posted 163/5 in their allotted 20 overs and successfully defended the total and won the match by four runs.

With the fourth T20I being called off due to a hailstorm, Pakistan would be eager to seal the series in the final game, while New Zealand will be desperate to level it heading into the fifth game.

Pitch and Conditions:

The pitch at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has been traditionally good for batting. Out of the four T20Is played at the venue so far, three have been won by teams chasing. Hence, the captain winning the toss is likely to bowl first and chase down whatever target the opposition sets for them.

Probable Playing XIs for PAK vs NZ, 5th T20I:

Pakistan

Pakistan side has put up clinical performances in the series so far, with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed all amongst the runs while Haris Rauf and Imad Wasim have picked wickets regularly. The Babar Azam-led is unlikely to make a change for the final game and will look to continue their dominance over New Zealand.

Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

New Zealand

The Kiwis made a terrific comeback in the third T20I, and Tom Latham will be eager to finish the series in a stalemate, being the captain of a depleted side. Mark Chapman has been the leading run-scorer of the series, and Latham would expect him to fire once again in the final game. Matt Henry and Jimmy Neesam have been brilliant with the ball and will be desperate to bring their A-game to the fore in the final showdown of the series. However, Kiwis would be hoping Jimmy Neesham gets fit for the final game.

Tom Latham (c & wk), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Cole McConchie, Henry Shipley

PAK vs NZ Head-to-Head in T20Is:

Played – 33 Pakistan – 20