The thrilling five-match T20I series between New Zealand and Pakistan continues with the fourth match set to take place at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on Sunday, March 23, 2025. With New Zealand leading the series 2-1, this game is crucial for both sides. The Kiwis will aim to seal the series, while Pakistan will look to force a decider with another strong performance.
Series Overview
New Zealand dominated the first two matches, winning by nine and five wickets, respectively. However, Pakistan made a strong comeback in the third T20I, securing a nine-wicket win while chasing 205, thanks to Hasan Nawaz’s unbeaten 105 off 45 balls.
With the hosts missing Matt Henry due to injury, their bowling attack will be tested once again. On the other hand, Pakistan’s confidence will be high after their dominant win in Auckland.
Match Details
- Match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 4th T20I
- Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025
- Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
- Time: 11:45 AM (IST) | 06:15 AM (GMT)
- Live Streaming & Broadcast: FanCode, Sony Sports Network (app & website)
Team Overviews
New Zealand
The Kiwis have played solid cricket, with Mark Chapman (94 off 44) impressing in the last game. However, their bowlers struggled against Pakistan’s aggressive batting. With Matt Henry ruled out, the pressure is on young pacers like Jacob Duffy and Ben Sears to deliver.
Strengths:
- Explosive top order (Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Mark Chapman)
- Deep batting lineup
- Jacob Duffy leading the wicket charts with seven wickets
Concerns:
- Bowling struggles in high-scoring games
- Lack of experienced pacers in Henry’s absence
Pakistan
Pakistan turned things around in the third game with a commanding chase. Hasan Nawaz’s stunning 105 off 45 balls showed their batting firepower. Skipper Salman Agha has been their most consistent batter, while their bowlers will look to improve after expensive outings in the first two games.
Strengths:
- Strong batting depth
- In-form top order (Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha)
- Variety in the bowling attack (Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed)
Concerns:
- Inconsistent middle order
- Bowling struggles at the death
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches Played: 47
- New Zealand Wins: 25
- Pakistan Wins: 20
- Tied: 0
- No Result: 2
- First Meeting: September 22, 2007
- Most Recent Meeting: March 21, 2025
Pitch Report – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
- Early assistance for fast bowlers with seam movement.
- Becomes batting-friendly as the game progresses.
- Spinners might come into play later as the surface slows down.
- Best strategy: Win the toss and bat first to take advantage of fresh pitch conditions.
Probable Playing XIs
New Zealand (Predicted XI)
- Finn Allen
- Tim Seifert (wk)
- Mark Chapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- James Neesham
- Michael Bracewell (c)
- Mitchell Hay
- Kyle Jamieson
- Jacob Duffy
- Ish Sodhi
- Ben Sears
Pakistan (Predicted XI)
- Mohammad Haris (wk)
- Hasan Nawaz
- Salman Agha (c)
- Irfan Khan
- Khushdil Shah
- Shadab Khan
- Abdul Samad
- Shaheen Afridi
- Abbas Afridi
- Abrar Ahmed
- Haris Rauf
Live Streaming
India:
- TV Channel: Sony Pictures Network (Specific channel to be announced)
- Live Streaming: SonyLIV app and website
Pakistan:
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- TV Channel: Asports
- Live Streaming: Tamasha App, Tapmad
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Key Players to Watch
New Zealand
- Mark Chapman – Scored a brilliant 94 in the last game.
- Jacob Duffy – Leading wicket-taker of the series with seven wickets.
- Finn Allen – Dangerous power-hitter at the top.
Pakistan
- Hasan Nawaz – Smashed a match-winning 105* in the last game.
- Salman Agha – Leading run-scorer of the series (115 runs in three innings).
- Shaheen Afridi – Key bowler with new ball impact.
Possible Match Scenarios
Scenario 1: New Zealand win the toss & bat first
- Powerplay Score: 50-55 runs
- Final Score: 155-165
- Prediction: New Zealand win the match
Scenario 2: Pakistan win the toss & bat first
- Powerplay Score: 45-50 runs
- Final Score: 145-155
- Prediction: New Zealand win the match
Match Prediction
Despite Pakistan’s strong comeback, New Zealand has been the more consistent side throughout the series. With home advantage and a powerful batting lineup, they are favorites to win the 4th T20I and clinch the series.
🔹 Prediction: New Zealand to win the match
