New Zealand and Pakistan will contest the final of the T20I Tri-Series 2022 on October 14 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The hosts finished at the top of the points table with three wins in four games and a better net run rate than Pakistan, who finished second in the points table.
Both New Zealand and Pakistan have faced each other twice in the tri-series. Pakistan won the first encounter by six wickets. Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz put up a good performance with the ball to restrict the opponents to a first innings total of 147 for 8 in 20 overs. In the second innings, an unbeaten 79 from Babar Azam helped Pakistan chase down the target in 18.2 overs.
However, the hosts bounced back strongly to win the second encounter against Pakistan. Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell picked up two wickets each as Pakistan managed to score just 130 runs in 20 overs. This was followed by an opening partnership of 117 runs between Finn Allen and Devon Conway, which guided the Kiwis to a win in only 16.1 overs. The Pakistan bowlers managed to pick just one wicket, which came off Mohammad Wasim’s bowling.
Ahead of the final of the tri-series, let’s look at the head to head of both the teams, pitch report, weather update, top picks for your MPL fantasy team and more.
Weather update and pitch report for NZ vs PAK, Asia Cup 2022
The surface at the Hagley Oval has provided equal assistance to the batsman and bowlers in this tri-series, but the seam and swing bowlers have fared better as compared to the slow bowlers. A total of 9 T20s have been played at this venue, of which 4 have been won by the teams batting first. The average first innings score is 165, while the average second innings score is 144. The highest and lowest total recorded is 184 for 5 and 131 for 10.
The weather in Christchurch will be mostly chilly. The temperature will fluctuate between 18 to 20 degrees.
New Zealand team news and predicted XI
Team news: New Zealand do not have any fresh injury concerns and are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI which won them their previous game against Bangladesh.
Squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Blair Tickner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.
Predicted XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner
Pakistan team news and predicted XI
Team news: Pakistan, too, are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI. They will be looking to win the final to enter the T20 World Cup 2022 high on confidence.
Squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Shan Masood, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Qadir, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Khushdil Shah, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim
Predicted XI: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah
Head to head record
New Zealand and Pakistan have played 27 T20I matches, of which Pakistan have won 16 while the hosts have 11 wins. In the last five games between the two teams, Pakistan have won three.
Total games – 27
Pakistan – 16
New Zealand – 11
Last five games
Pakistan – 3
New Zealand – 2
Five players to watch out for
Here we list five players you must pick in your MPL fantasy XI NZ vs PAK, New Zealand Tri-Series
Devon Conway: wicketkeeper batsman, New Zealand
New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway is the highest run-scorer in the tournament with more than 200 runs in four matches. The left handed batsman scored an unbeaten 49 when New Zealand last met Pakistan in the tri-series and will be eyeing a similar performance in the final. Conway, who has played 27 T20 internationals, boasts of a strike rate of almost 135.
Tim Southee – bowler, New Zealand
Tim Southee is the leading wicket-taker in the series for New Zealand. In four games, Southee has picked seven wickets at an average of 17.85, an economy of 7.81, and a strike rate of 13.7. He has picked up three wickets in the two matches against Pakistan this series and will be looking to finish the series with a few more wickets in his tally.
Babar Azam – batsman, Pakistan
Captain of the Pakistan team, Babar Azam is the leading run-scorer for Pakistan in the series with 177 runs in four matches at an average of 59 and a strike rate of 125.53. He scored 79 runs off balls in the earlier game against New Zealand, for which he was also named the Player of the Match. One of the best batsmen in the world currently, Azam is a good pick for your MPL team’s captaincy.
Mohammed Rizwan – wicketkeeper batsman, Pakistan
Mohammad Rizwan comes into this game on the back of a match-winning knock against Bangladesh which also won him the Player of the Match award. He has made 167 runs in four matches at an average of 55.66 and a strike rate of 123.7. This includes two half-centuries. The top-ranked T20I batsman was also Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in the recent T20I series against England.
Mohammad Wasim – bowler, Pakistan
Mohammad Wasim is the leading wicket-taker in the series for Pakistan withseven wickets in four matches at an average of 13.71, an economy of 6.85, and a strike rate of 12.
MPL fantasy XI – NZ vs PAK, New Zealand tri-series
Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Devon Conway
Batsmen: Babar Azam, Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips
All-rounders: Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Michael Bracewell
Bowlers: Mohammad Wasim, Trent Boult, Tim Southee
NZ vs PAK – where and what time to watch the match live in India
The New Zealand vs Pakistan game at the New Zealand tri-series will not be televised live in India. However, you can watch the game on Amazon Prime video. The match will begin at 7.30 AM IST on October 14.
Check out our detailed guide on fantasy cricket for more tips and tricks. https://www.mpl.live/blog/todays-match-prediction/
Note: The players recommended here need not be a part of the Playing 11 on game day. Users are advised to do their own research also and follow official sources and create their teams.
