WEB DESK: Pakistan will take New Zealand in the third and final ODI today, the match will take place at Bay Oval in Mount Maungamui.
Pakistan had a tough tour of New Zealand, losing both white-ball series. The Men in Green will be looking to close the tour on a positive note when they take on the hosts in the third and final ODI on April 5. The match is scheduled to take place at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, with the action to begin at 3:30 AM IST.
New Zealand have a stronger line-up despite having second-string players for this series. Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Muhammad Abbas, and Mitchell Hay have been in good form. Betting on the home side to hit the most fours seems a safe option.
Daryl Mitchell was dismissed early in the second game but had scored a brilliant 70 in the first. He has a good record in ODI cricket, with 1,998 runs at an average of 48.73. He has six centuries and nine half-centuries in the format.
Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui has generally produced balanced surfaces with something in it for batters and bowlers. The venue has hosted 30 ODIs, with the average first innings score of 230. The team batting first has scored more than 290 in five of the previous eight matches.
New Zealand and Pakistan have clashed in 121 ODIs over the years, with the latter holding a slight edge. Pakistan have claimed 61 of these matches whereas NZ have won 56 times. The Black Caps have been dominant in recent times, winning all of the previous five encounters.
New Zealand won the second ODI by 84 runs to take an unassailable lead of 2-0. Having been asked to bat first, the NZ openers put on a 54-run partnership. But they lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 132-5. Mitchell Hay stepped up for the team with an unbeaten 99 off 78 deliveries while Muhammad Abbas added 41 runs to recover the innings to 293.
Jacob Duffy then claimed three for 35 in eight overs. Ben Sears took a five-for as the Kiwis completed a comprehensive victory. Mark Chapman and Will Young missed the second game, but the pair could slot back in.
Pakistan have been outplayed in every facet of the game on this tour. In the second ODI, they were in a pretty good position after sending half the NZ side back for 132. But they could not capitalise on it, with bowlers unable to get through the lower middle order. Sufiyan Muqeem was the pick of the bowlers, with two for 33 in 10 overs.
