WELLINGTON (Staff Report) – Pakistan cricket team Friday won the toss and elected to field first in the final T20 game of three-match series against New Zealand at Wellington’s Westpack cricket stadium.
The series was tied 1-1 after Pakistan and New Zealand both won the first and second matches of the series respectively. The winner of the match would jump to fifth position ICC T20 ranking.
After winning the toss, Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi said that the situations suit a lot for the team batting second that is why we have decided to bowl first. He added that Umar Gul and Sohaib Maqsood have been replaced by Muhammad Rizwan and Anwar in the playing XI.
The New Zealand skipper Williamson also vowed to perform well in the final match of the three and win the series against Pakistan. He said that Boult has replaced leg-spinner Todd Astle in the playing XI.
The T20 series will be followed by a three-match ODI series. Pakistan will conclude its New Zealand trip on January 31.
Pakistan Team:
A Shehzad, M Hafeez, M Rizwan, S Malik, U Akmal, S Afridi, +S Ahmed, I Wasim, Wahab Riaz, A Ali, M Amir
New Zealand Team:
M Guptill, K Williamson, C Munro, C Anderson, G Elliott, L Ronchi, M Santner, T Boult, A Milne, R Taylor, M McClenaghan
Tour Schedule:
1st T20I – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Fri Jan 15 06:00 GMT | 11:00 PST | at Auckland
2nd T20I – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Sun Jan 17 06:00 GMT | 11:00 PST | at Hamilton
3rd T20I – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Fri Jan 22 06:00 GMT | 11:00 PST | at Wellington
1st ODI – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Mon Jan 25 22:00 GMT | 03:00 PST | at Wellington
2nd ODI – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Thu Jan 28 01:00 GMT | 06:00 PST | at Napier
3rd ODI – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Sun Jan 31 22:00 GMT | 03:00 PST | at Auckland