Pakistan and New Zealand to fight for the T20 trophy tomorrow

Martin Guptill is an Auckland native, but Wellington Regional Stadium, where New Zealand and Pakistan play their third and final Twenty20 global on Friday (January 22), holds fond memories for him, and it’s a fact that won’t be lost on anyone in attendance come game day.

Ahead of the third and final match of their head-to-head series, Pakistan and New Zealand are tied with 114 points on the ICC T20 rankings table – just as they are tied at one match each in the three-match series.

Martin Guptill (87) and Kane Williamson (72) put on a world-record stand of 171 – smashing 24 boundaries between them in the process – to easily overtake Pakistan’s total of 168.

It was a tough night for the Pakistan bowling attack after they had done so well in the series opener. Both teams have a lot at stake…. Todd Astle, the leg-spinner, has not made an impact yet in his maiden T20I series, adding more pressure on Santner in the spin department.

“We didn’t bowl well in the first six overs and that set the tone for the Kiwis to score freely”, Afridi said after the match.

Pakistan are likely to make some changes to their side for tonight’s match after being completed outplayed in game two. “We’ll be discussing how we can improve”, he said. Sarfraz Ahmed, who can pack quite a punch with the bat, has been wasted down the order and Pakistan might look at promoting him. ESPN3 will carry also carry the three ODI matches on the Pakistan tour of New Zealand following the conclusion of the T20 series.

Wahab Riaz was taken for 30 runs off three overs, while Mohammad Amir (0-34 off three overs) had a particularly tough time of it. Umar Gul’s form is the biggest concern for Pakistan as the 31-year-old appears a pale shadow of the second highest wicket-taker in T20Is. Shahid Afridi, the captain, went at 9.5 an over, while Wahab Riaz has been guilty of leaking runs in both games, and, as senior players, both need to step up.