NZ vs PAK 5th T20I | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Mohammad Rizwan (X.com)

The stage is set for the final T20I of the five-match series at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Sunday, January 21 between New Zealand and Pakistan. The home team has emerged triumphant in all four previous matches, dominating the series with a commanding 4-0 lead. Eager to etch their dominance against the visitors, New Zealand is poised to chase a series whitewash.

NZ vs PAK 5th T20I: Team Previews

New Zealand

The upcoming match on Sunday may bring some changes to the home team's lineup, with Chad Bowes and Ben Sears stepping in for Will Young and Tim Southee and Rachin Ravindra replacing Daryl Mitchell. The Black Caps will rely on Finn Allen, Chad Bowes, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Tim Seifert in batting to set a strong total.

In the last game, early wickets fell, but Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips turned the game around with an impressive 139-run partnership. Mitchell scored 72 off 44 balls, supported by Phillips' 70 not out off 52 balls. The bowling responsibility falls on Ben Sears, Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and Mitchell Santner, looking to break through as Henry and Ferguson did in the previous match, claiming two wickets each.

Pakistan

The coaching staff is hopeful that players will learn from previous mistakes and put up a strong performance on Sunday. The Green Shirts are contemplating changes to their playing XI for the last match.

In the batting lineup, Pakistan will heavily depend on Fakhar Zaman, opener Saim Ayub, experienced keeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Iftikhar Ahmed to contribute to a respectable total. In the fourth T20I, Mohammad Rizwan shone with an outstanding performance, scoring an unbeaten 90 off 63 balls, including six fours and two sixes. All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz also played a quick inning, smashing 21 not out off just nine balls with three sixes.

Bowling-wise, the team will look to Zaman Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and spin from Mohammad Nawaz to limit the home team's score. In the previous match, Shaheen Afridi was the standout bowler for Pakistan, claiming three wickets for 34 runs in his four overs.

This being a situation with nothing to lose for Pakistan, they might consider experimenting with the batting order, even contemplating the option of opening with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

NZ vs PAK 5th T20I: Match Details & Live Streaming

NZ vs PAK 5th T20I: Hagley Oval Pitch Report

The pitch at Christchurch's Hagley Oval is well-balanced, with an average score of 154 runs in the last 20 matches. It offers support for both batters and bowlers. The team winning the toss might choose to bat or bowl based on the conditions. The wicket is designed to favour seamers early on. The straight boundary is a bit shorter, encouraging batters to target that area. High-scoring games haven't been frequent at this venue, making it an interesting ground for the upcoming match.

NZ vs PAK 5th T20I: Probable Playing XIs

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Chad Bowes, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (c), Mark Chapman, Adam Milne, Ben Sears, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

NZ vs PAK 5th T20I: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

NZ vs PAK 5th T20I: Winner Prediction

With New Zealand's dominant performance in the ongoing series, they are strongly favored to clinch victory this Sunday, sealing a comprehensive 5-0 whitewash. At One Cricket, we predict New Zealand to triumph and secure a series sweep.

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