Pakistan Make 2 Big Changes; Afridi Comes In As Salman Agha Invites NZ To Bat First

Pakistan win the toss against NZ [Source: @TheRealPCB/X.com]

In the third T20I of the five-match series between New Zealand and Pakistan, live from Eden Park, Auckland, the Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bowl first against the hosts. 

Talking about team changes, Pakistan have made two swaps; Abrar Ahmed and Abbas Afridi come in, while Jahandad Khan and Mohammad Ali miss out. On the other hand, New Zealand have made one change, bringing in Kyle Jamieson for Zak Foulkes. It is worth noting that Finn Allen will play his 50th T20I game tonight.

This match is crucial for both teams. Pakistan must win to stay alive in the five-match series, while New Zealand, already leading 2-0, will seal the series with a victory today.

New Zealand vs Pakistan: Captain's Thought

Michael Bracewell (New Zealand Captain): "Yeah we are comfortable batting first. The stats suggest that it's good to bat first here in Eden Park. Hopefully we post a good total. Yeah, the new ball bowlers have bowled really well so far for us in this series and hopefully they do the same tonight."

Agha Salman (Pakistan Captain): "We are gonna bowl first. We just wanted to have a total on the board and see what we do. We have two changes. Abrar and Abbas are in for Jahandad and Mohammad Ali."

New Zealand vs Pakistan: Playing XI's

Pakistan Playing XI: Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Agha Salman (c), Irfan Khan Niazi, Shadab Khan (vc), Muhammad Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay(w), Michael Bracewell(c), Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears

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