New Zealand will be aiming to extend the lead in the NZ vs PAK T20I series to 4-0 as they will take on Pakistan in the 4th T20I on Friday. Under the leadership of new skipper Shaheen Afridi, the visitors have not managed to win even one of the three T20Is, extending their streak to five consecutive T20I losses. With the T20 World Cup firmly set in their sights, Pakistan will hope to bounce back against the Kiwis at Christchurch.
NZ vs PAK 4th T20I: Can Pakistan break their losing streak?
Pakistan have been poor with the bat all through this series so far, with the only beacon of hope being former skipper Babar Azam. While the rest of the team has flopped in the series, Azam has managed to score three consecutive fifties – a good sign for the side keeping in mind the marquee event set to take place later this year.
The opening pair of young Saim Ayub and vice captain Mohammed Rizwan have absolutely failed to ger going in the series. While Fakhar Zaman showed glimpses of a promising start in a match, he has been a failure to. Azam Khan and Ifthikar Ahmed were no good either.
Pakistan’s bowling attack has also been ineffective so far, with Haris Rauf getting bludgeoned all across the park by the Kiwi batters. Shaheen Afridi has also failed to live up to the expectations – more as a bowler than as the captain – failing to thus be his lethal usual self.
Kiwis eye extend dominance
New Zealand have been able to tick all the boxes so far in the series, with opener Finn Allen delivering the most. Even without the services of skipper Kane Williamson, who is out with injury, the Kiwis have managed to stay on the right track.
The hosts have also effectively managed to rotate their pace attack, allowing them to try and test their bench strength when it comes to the pace department. Overall, there is nothing to lose and yet another gain for the Kiwis if they win the 4th T20I.
New Zealand probable XI
Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (C), Ben Sears, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
Pakistan probable playing XI
Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
