As the fifth T20I showdown between New Zealand and Pakistan is set to unfold at Sky Stadium in Wellington on March 26, cricket fans should brace themselves for an exciting contest. The game kicks off at 11:45 AM IST, promising a thrilling culmination to the series.
For those looking to craft the perfect NZ vs PAK Dream11 fantasy team, we’ve got you covered with top-notch predictions, expert cricket tips, expected playing XIs, and a deep dive into match insights, all aimed at helping you ace your fantasy picks.
Match Preview: NZ vs PAK
New Zealand sealed the T20I series with an emphatic 115-run win in the fourth match at Bay Oval, putting the series out of Pakistan’s reach with a 3-1 lead. Batting first, the Kiwi side set an imposing target of 220 for 6. Finn Allen stole the limelight with a blazing 50 from just 20 deliveries, while skipper Michael Bracewell remained unbeaten with 46. Tim Seifert also made a hefty contribution of 44 runs. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf showed his mettle, picking up three wickets for 27 runs.
In reply, Pakistan’s chase unraveled under the daunting target and New Zealand’s precise bowling. Abdul Samad was Pakistan’s saving grace with 44 runs. The hero for New Zealand was Jacob Duffy, who ripped through the batting lineup with figures of 4 wickets for 20 runs, aided by Zakary Foulkes, who claimed 3 for 25. Eventually, Pakistan was all out for 105 in 16.2 overs.
With the final match up next, scheduled for March 26 at Sky Stadium, Pakistan aims to finish on a high note and salvage some pride, while New Zealand will look to cement their dominance. Fans can expect a captivating clash as both teams strive for a strong finish.
Head-to-Head Record
Looking at past encounters, New Zealand has triumphed 22 times, while Pakistan holds a slight edge with 23 victories in their head-to-head clashes.
Weather & Pitch Report
Expect a cool day with temperatures around 13°C and broken clouds overhead. The Sky Stadium pitch is known to favor batters, yet spinners could find some help. The average first innings score here tends to hover around 177. However, teams chasing have historically struggled, with a win rate of only 33%.
Probable Playing XIs
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (wk), Tim Seifert, Michael Bracewell ©, Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears
Pakistan: Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha ©, Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Fantasy Cricket Tips & Player Picks
Captaincy Picks:
- Tim Seifert: Known for his aggressive approach, scored a critical 44 runs in his last match.
- Finn Allen: His last innings was explosive, scoring a rapid 50 at the top.
Top Picks:
- Mark Chapman: Adds stability with his middle-order batting, scoring 24 in the previous game.
- Agha Salman: The all-rounder offers leadership and impactful contributions across batting and bowling.
Budget Picks:
- Irfan Khan: Can anchor the innings and shift gears when needed.
- Jimmy Neesham: Adds balance with his aggressive batting and knack for taking wickets.
Captain and Vice-Captain Choices
- Captain: Tim Seifert, Hassan Nawaz
- Vice-Captain: Agha Salman, Mark Chapman
Dream11 Team Predictions
Team 1:
- Keepers: Tim Seifert (c)
- Batsmen: Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Hassan Nawaz
- All-rounders: Agha Salman (vc), Michael Bracewell, James Neesham, Shadab Khan
- Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Jacob Duffy
Team 2:
- Keepers: Tim Seifert
- Batsmen: Daryl Mitchell, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman (vc), Hassan Nawaz (c)
- All-rounders: Agha Salman, Michael Bracewell, Shadab Khan
- Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Jacob Duffy
Expert Advice
For Small Leagues (SL), Tim Seifert makes an excellent captaincy choice, whereas Hassan Nawaz is favored for Grand Leagues (GL). Keep an eye on players like Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham for potential game-changing performances. A balanced team composition of 1 keeper, 3 batsmen, 4 all-rounders, and 3 bowlers is recommended.
Match Winner Prediction
New Zealand enters this match with confidence on their side, given their well-rounded team brimming with talent and experience, making them strong favorites to clinch another victory.
