The T20 Tri-Series continues on Tuesday after a day off and it does so with the second meeting of the competition between Pakistan and New Zealand, one which is likely to be repeated when the final comes around.
Pakistan enter this match unbeaten in the tournament and victory here would send them through to that final. New Zealand will be on the brink of a place in the final should they come out on top but the overriding thing for both will be to continue their preparation for the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan
When you consider that Pakistan had a hard time getting the better of England in their own conditions over the past few weeks, they deserve a lot of credit for successive wins in this part of the world. Had everything been normal in terms of their preparation then they would have been expected to dominate Bangladesh but beating New Zealand appeared a much harder job than they made it look so they look to be progressing nicely.
Pakistan have bowled very well in the two matches they have played here in Christchurch and that is starting to seep into their batting which is finally coming up with options to keep the scoring going even should one of the openers fail. If they can continue to build others into form with the bat in hand then this could yet be a very profitable campaign for Pakistan, not least because the return of Shaheen Afridi isn’t far away.
New Zealand
New Zealand stumbled out of the starting games in the tournament but they looked a lot better against Bangladesh in their second match. They are having to deal with a few injuries at the minute which isn’t ideal this close to a major tournament and I sense that is creating one or two issues with regards form and confidence. The big issue they have is at the top of the order where they aren’t really suited to the modern game.
We know that New Zealand are going to bowl well. They have some good bowling resources who have played all over the world in the leading franchise leagues. Where their issue is going to come is getting the right combination in the top four and making sure that when the tournament comes around that they get after the new ball. I wouldn’t say the World Cup is going to be a new ball competition necessarily but clearing the ropes with the field out won’t be easy so getting good starts will be essential.
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Team News
Pakistan have kept with largely the same side for the first two matches of the tournament but with a maximum of three proper games left before the T20 World Cup you would imagine they’ll look to get some of the fringe players into play.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead has confirmed we won’t be seeing Daryl Mitchell in this tournament but he is hopeful of Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne being ok to be involved at some point and this would seem the game to play them if possible.
Betting
The run line feels a little too high for me at 321.5. It hasn’t been covered in any of the five T20 internationals that have been held here at Hagley in the past and you’ve got to think the square is going to get tougher to play on as the matches keep on coming in this competition. The other reason why I think the line is a little on the high side is these two batting units have two dominant features in them but neither of them are power hitters who are going to blitz the ball to all parts.
The other reason why the line looks too high is the obvious one of these two bowling units being very good regardless of the players they have at their disposal. They don’t really give anything away with the new ball and both teams have the ability to squeeze deeper into the innings. There also isn’t too much in the way of form in either of the lower orders either so unless someone produces an once in a while innings I don’t see this line being covered.
Tips
Back Under 321.5 runs for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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