In a thrilling contest at Eden Park, Pakistan staged a remarkable fightback to secure a crucial victory in the third T20I against New Zealand, keeping the series alive. After losing the first two games, Pakistan was under immense pressure, but a sensational knock from Hasan Nawaz guided them to a comfortable chase of New Zealand’s 205-run target.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Pakistan aimed to exploit the early conditions. However, New Zealand’s top order came out all guns blazing, with Mark Chapman smashing an explosive 94 off just 44 balls.
Pakistan’s response was aggressive from the outset, with Mohammad Haris providing a fiery start, scoring 41 off 20 balls. The game-changing moment came with Hasan Nawaz’s phenomenal 105 off 45 deliveries, steering Pakistan to victory.
Trailing 2-1, Pakistan remains in contention for a series comeback as they head into the fourth T20I.
Bay Oval Pitch Report
The pitch at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui typically offers some early seam movement for fast bowlers with the new ball. However, as the game progresses, the surface settles and becomes more favourable for batters.
As the ball ages and the pitch improves for batting, pacers will need to rely on hitting the deck hard and using variations to control the scoring rate. Since this is the second match of the series at this venue, the surface may slow down slightly, bringing spinners into the equation.
Spinners will play a crucial role by maintaining accuracy, as that remains the key to success on this pitch. Given that all men’s T20I matches at this venue have been won by teams setting a target, the captain winning the toss is likely to opt for batting first.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
LSG predicted playing XI vs DC: Pant's position, pacers' headache biggest conundrum
Top Stories
