Pakistan aims for consolation win in final T20I against New Zealand

The fifth and final T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place in Wellington on Wednesday, and it promises to be an intriguing encounter.

With New Zealand already securing an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, Pakistan will be looking to end the tour on a high note and salvage some pride. However, they will have to address several issues, notably with the form of their vice-captain, Shadab Khan, who has struggled throughout the series.

Shadab's struggles

Shadab’s lack of impact with both bat and ball has raised concerns. The leg-spinner has been a shadow of his former self and will need to step up significantly if he hopes to secure his place in the team. His recent performances have been below expectations, especially considering his role as a senior player and key bowler. Throughout this series, Shadab has bowled 11 overs, picking up just one wicket and conceding 110 runs — a performance far from the standard expected from an experienced international cricketer.

The series itself has seen Shadab struggle both with the ball and in his batting contributions. In the first T20I in Christchurch, he bowled just two overs, giving away 18 runs, and only managed three runs with the bat. In the second match in Dunedin, he was a bit more productive with the bat, scoring 26 runs off 14 balls, including two sixes, but he was only given one over to bowl, conceding ten runs.

The third match in Auckland, where Pakistan secured a comfortable nine-wicket victory, saw Shadab bowl a more complete spell, taking 1-33 from four overs. However, in the fourth game in Mount Maunganui, which Pakistan lost by 115 runs, Shadab was again ineffective, conceding 49 runs in four overs and scoring just one run off four balls.

In fact, Shadab has now gone 14 T20I matches with only four wickets, a record that highlights his continuing struggles. Given these poor performances, it’s no surprise that some have suggested that he should be rested, including former cricketer Shahid Afridi, who has recommended that both Shadab and Shaheen Afridi take a break from the last match of the series.

However, despite the calls for change, Shadab will be given another chance to prove his worth in the final T20I.

“Shadab is being given another chance,” a source told this correspondent.

Pakistan’s squad for the match is likely to undergo a few changes, especially after their heavy loss in the previous game.

Assistant coach Azhar Mehmood has confirmed that one or two changes are on the cards, although the final lineup will only be revealed at the toss.

A well-placed source also told Nukta that Usman Khan and Omair bin Yousuf will be given chance in tomorrow’s game with Irfan Khan Niazi and Khushdil Shah to be rested.

Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem could replace Abrar, and Shaheen Afridi, who has had a mixed series, might also be rested in favor of Mohammad Ali.

New Zealand high on confidence

On the New Zealand side, there are no expected changes. The Blackcaps have named the same squad for the final game, and with their dominant performance in the fourth T20I, it is likely that they will go with an unchanged eleven.

Their consistency throughout the series has been impressive, and they will be keen to close out the series with a 4-1 win.

New Zealand's lineup includes the likes of Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, and Jimmy Neesham, all of whom have contributed significantly during the series.

The conditions in Wellington are expected to be ideal for cricket, with dry and slightly cool weather in the evening.

Wellington's pitch has historically favored batting, and the most recent T20I played here saw a thrilling contest where New Zealand posted a massive total of 215, only for Australia to chase it down off the final ball. If the pitch offers similar conditions, both teams will be looking to capitalize on the bat, and the bowlers will need to adapt quickly.

With the series already decided, Pakistan will be hoping to bounce back and show resilience in the final game. The performance of Shadab Khan, in particular, will be under close scrutiny as he looks to find his rhythm and justify his place in the team.

For New Zealand, the aim will be to maintain their dominant form and secure a series victory that would be a testament to their strength in T20 cricket.

Probable XIs:

Pakistan: Mohammad Haris (wk), Hassan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (c), Irfan Khan/Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Abdul Samad, Shaheen Afridi/Mohammad Ali, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem

New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Will O'Rourke