NZ vs PAK Statistical Preview: Key Stats, Records And History Ahead Of 3rd T20I

Jatin

NZ vs PAK Statistical Preview [Source: @TheRealPCB/x.com]NZ vs PAK Statistical Preview [Source: @TheRealPCB/x.com]

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New Zealand and Pakistan are set to lock horns in the third T20I of the five-match series on Friday, March 21, at Eden Park in Auckland. The action-packed contest begins at 11:45 AM IST.

New Zealand has been clinical so far, clinching the first two matches with ease. In the 15-over thriller, they restricted Pakistan to 135/9, with Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Jimmy Neesham, and Ish Sodhi grabbing two wickets each. Tim Seifert (45 off 22) and Finn Allen (38 off 16) provided a blistering start while Mitchell Hay (21 off 16) guided New Zealand home. A win in this fixture will seal the series for the hosts.

On the other hand, Pakistan is in a do-or-die situation. Captain Agha Salman was the top scorer in the last game with 46 off 28 balls while Shadab Khan (26 off 14) and Shaheen Afridi (22 off 14) played handy cameos. However, their batting order crumbled, with Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, and Abdul Samad failing to fire. Pakistan need to regroup and deliver a strong performance to keep the series alive.

NZ vs PAK Historical Overview in T20Is

New Zealand and Pakistan have met each other in 46 T20I matches. Pakistan holds a slight edge with 23 wins while New Zealand has emerged victorious in 21 games. Two encounters ended without a result.

New Zealand and Pakistan Probable Playing XI

New Zealand

Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.

Pakistan

Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Agha Salman (c), Irfan Khan Niazi, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf.

Top Run-Scorers In NZ Vs PAK 2nd T20I

Salman Agha: 46 Runs

Captain Salman Agha led Pakistan’s charge as he smashed 46 off 28 balls with four boundaries and three sixes, providing much-needed momentum to their innings.

Tim Seifert: 45 Runs

Tim Seifert played a blistering knock of 45 off 22 balls, which included three fours and five sixes with four of them coming in a single over against Shaheen Afridi.

Finn Allen: 38 Runs

Finn Allen was in destructive form, hammering 38 off just 16 balls at an astonishing strike rate of 237.5, with one four and five maximums.

Top Wicket-Takers In NZ Vs PAK 2nd T20I

Jacob Duffy: 2 Wickets

Jacob Duffy made an impact with the new ball, conceding just 20 runs in three overs and scalping two wickets in a high-scoring affair.

Haris Rauf: 2 Wickets

Haris Rauf was Pakistan’s best bowler, picking up two wickets for 20 runs in three overs, keeping his team in the hunt.

Ben Sears: 2 Wickets

Ben Sears delivered a strong spell, dismissing Mohammad Haris and Salman Agha while conceding 23 runs in his three-over spell.

NZ Vs PAK Key Stats

New Zealand's Key Records

  • Tim Seifert is New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in T20Is at Eden Park from the current squad with 178 runs in 11 matches at an average of 17.80 and a strike rate of 129.92.
  • Ish Sodhi is the leading wicket-taker in T20Is at Eden Park from the current squad with 11 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 8.79.
  • Mark Chapman has been in sublime form against Pakistan in T20Is, amassing 542 runs in 22 matches at an average of 41.69 and a strike rate of 158.01, including three fifties and a century.

Pakistan’s Key Records

  • Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi have played two matches each at Eden Park, picking up five wickets apiece.
  • Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan have both scored 42 runs in two T20Is at Eden Park with strike rates in the 130s.
  • Mohammad Rizwan has been a thorn in New Zealand’s side, accumulating 689 runs in 22 T20Is at an average of 43.06 and a strike rate of 126.19, including five fifties.

Records Which Could Be Broken In NZ vs PAK 3rd T20I

  • A five-wicket haul from Shaheen Afridi would see him equal Tim Southee as the leading wicket-taker in PAK vs NZ T20Is with 38 wickets.
  • If Haris Rauf picks up four wickets, he will also draw level with Tim Southee as the top wicket-taker in this head-to-head battle.
  • Mark Chapman needs 21 more runs to surpass Mohammad Hafeez and become the fourth-highest run-getter in NZ vs PAK T20Is.
  • Tim Seifert requires 81 runs to reach 500 T20I runs against Pakistan.