4th T20I
In a highly anticipated clash at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand and Pakistan are gearing up for the 4th T20I of their five-match series. The match, scheduled to commence at 11:10 am today, carries significant implications as New Zealand seeks a potential series whitewash after securing an unassailable lead with victories in the initial three encounters.
The Green Shirts, looking to salvage pride, are making a crucial change to their lineup, with Azam Khan being replaced by Sahibzada Farhan. On the other side, the Kiwis are maintaining an unchanged playing eleven, buoyed by Finn Allen’s explosive batting prowess. Allen, who propelled his team to success in the previous match with a remarkable century, currently leads the series’ run-scoring charts with an impressive total of 245 runs.
Pakistan, in a challenging position after suffering consecutive defeats, relies on former captain Babar Azam, who has been a consistent performer amassing 181 runs in the series with half-centuries in all three games.
The third T20I witnessed New Zealand setting a formidable total of 224/7, fueled by Allen’s outstanding 137-run innings. In response, Babar Azam contributed 58 runs, but Pakistan fell short with a total of 179/7, resulting in a 45-run loss. Tim Southee spearheaded the bowling attack with two wickets, supported by contributions from Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santner, and Ish Sodhi.
As the teams brace for the crucial fourth T20I, the Hagley Oval pitch is expected to favor pacers in the early stages, with opportunities for swing during the initial overs. However, as the ball wears down, batsmen may gain the upper hand against fast bowlers, while spinners could exploit the optimal length.
The weather forecast indicates overcast conditions but without expectations of rain interruptions, ensuring an uninterrupted and captivating match. With a temperature around 28 degrees Celsius, a breeze of 29 km/hr, and a humidity level of 48%, both teams are set to engage in a thrilling battle on the field.
Squads: New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Tim Seifert, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson
Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Zaman Khan
