Match Preview: Pakistan vs New Zealand, 4th T20I, 2025
Match Preview PAK vs NZ 4th T20I
The Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2025 reaches a critical juncture as the two teams prepare to clash in the fourth T20I of their five-match series at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. With New Zealand holding a 2-1 lead, this match could either seal the series for the hosts or set the stage for a thrilling decider, depending on Pakistan’s response after their emphatic win in the third game.
Series Recap PAK vs NZ T20I 2025
New Zealand dominated the opening two matches with clinical performances. In the first T20I at Christchurch on March 16, Pakistan were bundled out for a paltry 91—their lowest T20I total in New Zealand—before the hosts chased it down in just 10.1 overs, winning by 9 wickets. The second game in Dunedin on March 18, a rain-shortened 15-over affair, saw Pakistan post 135/9, but New Zealand’s openers Finn Allen (38 off 16) and Tim Seifert (45 off 22) blitzed 66 runs in 4.4 overs, paving the way for another comfortable 5-wicket victory with 11 balls to spare.
However, Pakistan roared back in the third T20I at Auckland’s Eden Park on March 21. Chasing 205, debutant Hasan Nawaz smashed an unbeaten 105 off 45 balls—the fastest T20I century by a Pakistani (44 balls)—supported by Mohammad Haris (41 off 20) and captain Salman Ali Agha (51* off 31). The visitors completed the chase in just 16 overs, winning by 9 wickets and keeping the series alive at 1-2. New Zealand’s Mark Chapman (94 off 44) had earlier set a challenging total, but their bowlers couldn’t contain Pakistan’s aggressive batting.
Match details PAK vs NZ 4th T20I
Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025 Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand Time: 11:15 AM PST (6:15 PM NZDT) Series Status: New Zealand leads 2-1 after three matches Team Form and Key Players PAK vs NZ 4th T20I
New Zealand:
The Black Caps have been formidable at home, leveraging their pace attack and explosive batting. Kyle Jamieson (3/8 in the 1st T20I) and Jacob Duffy (4/14 in the 1st, 1/37 in the 3rd) have been standout bowlers, exploiting bounce and seam movement. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have provided fiery starts, though Allen’s duck in the third game showed vulnerability. Mark Chapman’s consistency against Pakistan (94 in the 3rd T20I, his fourth fifty-plus score against them) makes him a linchpin in the middle order, while captain Michael Bracewell (31 off 18 in the 3rd) adds depth. However, their bowling struggled to defend 204 in Auckland, raising questions about their death-over strategy.
Pakistan:
After a shaky start, Pakistan’s high-risk approach finally clicked in Auckland. Hasan Nawaz’s sensational ton has injected confidence into a new-look top order sans Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Mohammad Haris has shown intent (41 off 20 in the 3rd), while Salman Ali Agha’s composure (51* in the 3rd, 46 in the 2nd) has been vital. Haris Rauf (3/39 in the 3rd) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (2/36 in the 3rd) found rhythm in the last game, but their bowling unit needs consistency—especially Afridi, who was expensive earlier in the series. Shadab Khan (1/33 in the 3rd) offers all-round value, but Pakistan’s powerplay bowling remains a concern.
Pitch and Conditions PAK vs NZ 4th T20I
Bay Oval is known for favoring batsmen, with short boundaries and a true surface. The average first-innings score in T20Is here is around 170-180, but totals above 200 are chaseable, as seen in past games. The weather forecast for March 23 is clear, with temperatures around 20°C and light winds, promising uninterrupted play. Teams batting second have won 4 out of 6 T20Is at this venue, suggesting a slight advantage to the chasing side.
Head-to-Head PAK vs NZ 4th T20I
-Overall T20I Record: Pakistan leads 21-17 (1 tie, 1 no result) in 40 matches.
– New Zealand: New Zealand holds a 10-8 edge in 18 matches.
Recent Form: New Zealand had won 5 straight T20Is against Pakistan before the 3rd T20I loss, including a 4-1 series win in 2024.
Strategies and Match-Ups
New Zealand Strategy for 4th T20I vs Pakistan:
The hosts will aim to exploit Pakistan’s top order early with Jamieson and Duffy, targeting Nawaz and Haris, who faltered in the first two games. Chapman and Daryl Mitchell (17 off 11 in the 3rd) will look to anchor the middle overs, while Allen and Seifert must regain their powerplay dominance. Bracewell’s spin could be key against Pakistan’s aggressive batsmen.
Pakistan Strategy for 4th T20I vs New Zealand :
After their Auckland heroics, Pakistan will back their batting firepower. Nawaz’s form makes him a trump card, but they’ll need Haris and Agha to maintain momentum. Afridi and Rauf must strike with the new ball to disrupt New Zealand’s openers, while spinners Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan could exploit any turn on a used pitch.
Probable XIs PAK vs NZ 4th T20I
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears.
Pakistan: Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (c), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Abbas Afridi.
Prediction 4th T20I PAK vs NZ 4th T20I
New Zealand’s home dominance and bowling depth give them a slight edge, but Pakistan’s newfound batting momentum makes this a close contest. If Pakistan’s bowlers can contain New Zealand’s top order, they could level the series at 2-2. However, the Black Caps’ familiarity with Bay Oval and ability to bounce back tilt the scales in their favor. Expect a high-scoring thriller, with New Zealand likely to clinch the series 3-1.
