New Zealand vs Pakistan – 3rd T20 Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is New Zealand vs Pakistan taking place? Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 – 06:00 (UK)
Where is New Zealand vs Pakistan taking place? McLean Park, Napier
What is the expected weather for New Zealand vs Pakistan? 22c cloudy
What channel is New Zealand vs Pakistan on? The match will be televised live on BT Sport 1
Where can I stream New Zealand vs Pakistan? This match can be streamed live on the BT Sport app and website
Where can I get tickets for New Zealand vs Pakistan? Tickets for this match can be purchased here!
LAST MEETING
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 9 wickets
THE TEAM NEWS
NEW ZEALAND
- New Zealand dominated the second T20 to seal the series as they hammered Pakistan in Hamilton after restricting the tourists to 163/6, they eased to victory with nine wickets and four balls to spare.
- After missing a handful of regulars for the opening match, the likes of Williamson and Southee returned to the fold and shone with bat and ball and there is every chance they go full strength again to seal the whitewash.
- The bowling attack looks formidable while their batsmen are looking in great touch right now although they will be looking for more runs from Martin Guptill at the top of the order but overall they have far more players in top form compared to their opponents.
PAKISTAN
- Pakistan succumbed to another T20 defeat to wave goodbye to this series but they will look to respond here and reclaim some pride in a format they typically perform well in before thy switch to Test action.
- Veteran Mohammad Hafeez was the standout performer as he smashed an impressive unbeaten 99 from 57 balls but he received nowhere near enough support from the batsmen around him who contributed a paltry 64 runs from 63 balls.
- The bowling unit were a bright spot in the first T20 but struggled badly in the second match where they failed to make any inroads into the hosts’ batting line-up and that could lead to changes with Wahab Riaz struggling badly right now so talented youngster Mohammad Hasnain
THE PREDICTION
New Zealand have comfortably been the better of the two teams in the opening two T20 internationals and they will be confident of sealing the whitewash in Napier. Pakistan are struggling without their star batsman Babar Azam and they generally look short on belief and confidence with the bat especially. Those struggles then impact the bowlers who are finding it difficult to work with the below-par number of runs scored with the bat so they are struggling all-round right now. The Blackcaps are simply by far the better team with all facets of the game right now and barring complacency creeping in or the hosts easing off the gas significantly, they simply have to be favoured to make it three out of three here.
