The T20I Tri-Series final is set to be held at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
NZ and PAK are all set to square off in a mouth-watering final clash of the T20I Tri-Series 2022. The Blackcaps finished at the top of the points table with a better net run rate than Pakistan and they managed to win three out of their four games in the three-nation tournament.
The Kane Williamson-led side is coming off a strong performance against Bangladesh in their previous game and they will fancy themselves to clinch the final. Adam Milne stepped up in the previous match with 3 wickets and he will have his work cut out against the in-form Pakistan openers.
On the other hand, PAK picked up a close win against Bangladesh in their final league game to chase down a big score and they will enter the ground with a lot more confidence. However, the Azam-led side has had issues with their inexperienced middle-order getting exposed and the bowling group being expensive at times.
Pitch & Conditions
The Hagley Oval pitch has been a tricky venue for batting, however, it has got better in the last two games. The skipper winning the toss will be looking to bowl first, given the success of second batting teams so far in the venue.
Playing Combinations
New Zealand
is expected to bring back Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner for the final while Martin Guptill and James Neesham could miss out. Finn Allen and Devon Conway have been excellent at the top and the Kiwis might not tinker with them.
Predicted XI: Allen, Conway (wk), Williamson (c), Phillips, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Santner, Ish Sodhi, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Boult
Pakistan
might include Haris Rauf in place of Mohammad Wasim Jr. It will be an interesting battle between Haider Ali and Khushdil Shah for the middle-order spot, however, the former is expected to get the nod.
Predicted XI: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar (c), Masood, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar , Haider Ali, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain
