After winning the first two matches in a comfortable manner, Pakistan failed to take an unassailable lead in the T20I series by the barest of margins, as they failed to score five runs off the final three deliveries during the third match against New Zealand at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
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With the series score line reading 2-1 in favour of the hosts, the penultimate contest of the five-match series will take place tomorrow, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
In a series which has been dominated by a full-strength Pakistan side so far, a depleted New Zealand side have had to rely on the few of their experienced players, whose contribution during the previous match still mathematically provides them a chance to lift the T20I series trophy.
Skipper Tom Latham will yet again have to lead the team and the batting order, as he did during the previous T20I, when he played the match-winning half-century knock – his third in T20Is.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report for PAK vs NZ 4th T20I
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium last hosted a T20I back in November 2020 between Pakistan and Zimbabwe, which the hosts had comfortably won by 8 wickets and with 28 balls to spare.
The pitch at Rawalpindi has turned out to be one of the flattest decks in recent times. The average score across the 11 T20 matches so far at this venue this year has been 205.6 runs.
The highest-ever score in T20 history – 262/3, was posted by the Multan Sultans at Rawalpindi itself, during this year’s PSL match against Quetta Gladiators. In fact, five of the highest team totals in PSL history have been accomplished this year itself, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The relatively shorter boundaries here, as was the case during PSL 8 matches, coupled with a lightning quick outfield might also likely mean that the batters will dig the graveyard of the bowlers themselves tomorrow night.
