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Hagley Oval Christchurch Pitch Report For 5th NZ vs PAK T20I 

image-lrluct0eHagley Oval, Christchurch [X.com]

Pakistan have pride at stake as they return to the Hagley Oval in Christchurch to try and avoid an embarrassing 5-0 T20I series whitewash against New Zealand on Sunday (January 21). 

The Asian giants, who have been outskilled and outclassed by the rampaging hosts to an unassailable 4-0 scoreline, require a strong performance to avoid a clean slate and take some confidence from the series while they continue to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

For the BlackCaps, it's another opportunity to firm up their plans and preparations for the biannual ICC event, having showcased their great allround strength and depth of resources against a struggling and inexperienced opposition.


Hagley Oval Pitch Report 

While their batters have managed to consistently power the Kiwis to strong enough totals on flat decks, the bowling unit has outperformed the visiting attack with even more gusto and nous in home conditions. For what it's worth, this has been one of the most clinical series performances in the fickle T20I format. 

Heading into the final showdown, one eye for both teams will be on the surface after the Hagley Oval in Christchurch produced a rare low-scoring fixture for the series with Pakistan posting 158/5 in their 20 overs and reducing the BlackCaps to 20 for 3 at one stage. 

The track played drier than anyone anticipated without offering an alarming turn for spinners to run through in the wickets column. Even though his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Nawaz failed to stand his own and was clobbered for figures of 0/41 in 4 overs, Mitchell Santner showcased his great discipline once again by ending with 0/23 off his full quota. 

The stand-in skipper will be hoping to lead the attack from the front again as the Hagley Oval is expected to produce another dryish surface, offering a hint of grip for the tweakers and an overall slightly two-paced pitch for the pacers to also exploit. 

Expect another low-scoring fixture at the venue, especially if the same pitch is in use for the fifth and final game of the series. Pakistan would believe their best chance to upstage the Kiwis is on such a track as it brings their bowlers into play.