It has not been an easy tour Pakistan. They lost the T20I series 4-1 and with one game left to play in the ODI contest they are 2-0 down and haven’t had a look in all series. It will take a massive effort from Pakistan to turn things around here. Their best bet is to hope that New Zealand is complacent.
The best way to describe Pakistan’s performance in the ODI series is tentative. It is something is well exemplified by the fact that they were fined for slow over rates by the ICC in the first two games.
They need to throw themselves into the final game with gusto and intent, there is simply no scope for timidity or over thinking. They need to get onto the front foot and put the home side under pressure.
It’s not a surprise when looking at the statistics that both the list of top run scorers and top wicket-takers are dominated by Kiwis.
Indeed, the top three on each list are Black Caps players which goes a long way towards illustrating how dominant they have been.
New Zealand vs Pakistan | 3rd ODI | Saturday 05 April 2025 | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui | 12:00am
Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Since hosting its first ODI in 2014, Mount Maunganui has hosted a total of 11 ODIs. New Zealand have played in ten of those but with only moderate success. They have won five and lost five of the games they have played there.
Pakistan have never played an ODI at this ground. They did however visit the ground as part of the recent T20I series – and it wasn’t a great outing for them as they lost by 115 runs after being routed for 105.
There is little difference between batting first or second at the venue with an almost even split of results. The side batting first has won five times while the side batting second has won six.
The lack of advantage one way or the other is reflected at the toss where the winning skipper has chosen to bat six times and to field five.
Weather: It’s due to rain in Mount Maunganui on both Friday and Sunday but at this stage Saturday looks to be a day for cricket and hanging up laundry, with the forecast predicting plenty of sunshine and a moderate breeze.
Humidity will be on the high side at 66% while the temperature will reach a maximum of a pleasant 24 degrees.
Form (most recent game first):
New Zealand: W, W, L, W, L.
Pakistan: L, L, A, L, L.
Key player: New Zealand, Jacob Duffy
He has just been named as the number one T20I bowler in the world, thanks in no small part to the demolition job he brought at this ground in the T20I series.
In the T20I game against Pakistan he tore through the top order with a return of two for 20 in his four overs and he will surely be rubbing his hands together with relish at the prospect of having ten over to bowl this time round.
Duffy has been in great form all series and he bagged three for 35 in Hamilton. He is quick, accurate, in form and in the heads of the Pakistan batters. Expect him to get amongst the wickets once again.
Pakistan, Salman Agha: Right now, Pakistan must be wondering where the steel is going to come from. As one of the experienced players in the side Agha needs to stand up and be counted (as do Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan). Last time out, the three of them made a collective 15 runs. It’s simply not good enough.
Agha made 58 in the first ODI and nine in the second, but he needs to apply himself and lead from the front. He has an ODI average of 43.45 and he needs to deliver in this final game of the tour is he hopes to return home with no damage to his reputation.
