Match Details
- Fixture: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI
- Date: April 4, 2025
- Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
- Time: 6:00 AM PST | 1:00 PM Local
Teams Overview
New Zealand (Current Form: Won, Won)
New Zealand has already secured the series with a 2-0 lead and will be aiming for a clean sweep. They have been dominant with both bat and ball, with Mark Chapman leading the batting charts and Jacob Duffy performing well with the ball. With experienced players like Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham, they will look to finish the series on a high.
Pakistan (Current Form: Lost, Lost)
Pakistan has struggled in the series, particularly in chasing targets. Babar Azam has shown glimpses of form, but the batting unit has lacked consistency. Faheem Ashraf’s all-round performance in the second ODI was impressive, while Naseem Shah’s return has strengthened the bowling attack. Pakistan will be desperate to avoid a whitewash.
Key Players to Watch
New Zealand
- Mark Chapman – The leading run-scorer in the series with 132 runs, providing stability in the middle order.
- Mitchell Hay – Played a brilliant knock of 99 in the second ODI, showing his ability to anchor an innings.
- Jacob Duffy – The highest wicket-taker in the series with five wickets, making him a key bowler.
Pakistan
- Babar Azam – Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the series with 79 runs, needs to lead from the front.
- Faheem Ashraf – Scored 73 runs in the second ODI and picked up a wicket, making him crucial in both departments.
- Sufiyan Muqeem – Showed promise with his left-arm spin and can trouble New Zealand’s middle order.
Head-to-Head in ODIs (Last Five Matches)
- New Zealand: 3 Wins
- Pakistan: 2 Wins
New Zealand has been the better side in recent encounters, particularly at home.
Pitch Report – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
- A balanced surface that offers help to both batters and bowlers.
- Seamers can extract early swing, while spinners become effective in the middle overs.
- Batters who settle in can score big, as seen in the second ODI.
- Average first-innings score: 270+
Probable Playing XIs
New Zealand:
- Tom Latham (c & wk)
- Rhys Mariu
- Daryl Mitchell
- Mark Chapman
- Nick Kelly
- Mitchell Hay (wk)
- Michael Bracewell
- Jacob Duffy
- Nathan Smith
- Ben Sears
- Will O’Rourke
Pakistan:
- Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk)
- Abdullah Shafique
- Babar Azam
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Salman Ali Agha
- Faheem Ashraf
- Khushdil Shah
- Akif Javed
- Naseem Shah
- Sufiyan Muqeem
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
Probable Scenarios
- If New Zealand bats first, they are likely to post 280+ based on their recent performances.
- If Pakistan bats first, they will aim for 270+ but must avoid middle-order collapses.
- The team winning the toss might opt to bowl first, considering the conditions.
Match Prediction
- Toss Winner: Pakistan
- Match Winner: Pakistan (expected to avoid a whitewash)
- Top Batter: Rhys Mariu (New Zealand) / Abdullah Shafique (Pakistan)
- Top Bowler: Jacob Duffy (New Zealand) / Sufiyan Muqeem (Pakistan)
- Player of the Match: Sufiyan Muqeem
Pakistan is expected to put up a strong fight to avoid a clean sweep. However, New Zealand remains the superior side, making this an interesting contest.
