After a fairly comprehensive victory each in the opening two T20s of the series, New Zealand and Pakistan will settle things in Wellington on Friday when they meet in the third and final game.
While there is a series on the line here more importantly for New Zealand is finishing their preparation for the upcoming World T20. While they will have a couple of warm up matches when they get to India this is their final official T20 international before the tournament.
With that being the case it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if the Kiwis tinker with their side for this match. You wouldn’t think they will need two spinners on a ground with these dimensions so Mitchell Santner could make way. Trent Boult could return.
Pakistan will also be continuing their preparation for the tournament in India but unlike New Zealand they do still have competitive T20 matches to come before the World T20 begins so they can target winning the match and the series over preparing for what is to come.
After failing to take a wicket in Hamilton you would think that Pakistan might change their bowling attack here but the talk is their only change could see Sohaib Maqsood taking a rest with Mohammad Rizwan coming in and replacing him.
The Westpac Stadium in Wellington stages this final match of the series. There have been six previous T20 internationals on this ground with New Zealand winning three of them and losing three. Pakistan play in the shortest form of the game for the first time on this ground.
This is another rugby ground that New Zealand play limited overs on but it is clear from the fact that all six matches have been won by the side chasing that you don’t want to be batting first here because with the tiny boundaries it is just impossible to defend.
Given that record it makes it hard to bet on the match outcome until we’ve had the toss. I certainly wouldn’t want to back anyone and then find they are batting first because any slight value would diminish there and then.
One bet I do like going into the match though is for Pakistan to hit the most sixes. They have done that in both games so far and with Kane Williamson not the biggest hitter of the ball but likely to bat for long periods I see no reason why Pakistan won’t outhit New Zealand again.
Another reason I like Pakistan here is their top order have been in business in both matches so far whereas New Zealand’s middle order is severely undercooked and we saw evidence of that when they were called upon in the first game and they crumbled with barely a whimper.
You don’t get many freebies from this Pakistan attack so I’m not expecting New Zealand to plough into the sixes but Pakistan could with their line up. They’re overpriced to hit the most sixes anyway and I’m priced in.
Back Pakistan Most 6s for a 4/10 stake at 2.88 with Betfred
