After an exhilarating three T20Is, the ongoing five-match series PAK vs NZ T20I series approaches a key stage as the action shifts to Rawalpindi, known for delivering high-scoring contests on batting-friendly surfaces.
The ongoing PAK vs NZ T20I series is turning out to be a cracker, dominated by the home side until the touring side finally tasted triumph after a final-over thriller in the third fixture.
The three-match stint entertained Lahore fans to the fullest and they acknowledged it by filling up Gaddafi Stadium in each contest.
Meanwhile, the action now shifts to Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, which hosted astonishingly high-scoring clashes amid the recently-concluded eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Considered a nightmare for bowlers and paradise for the batters, the highest total in the history of the PSL was also recorded on the same surface.
Things will be no different this time around, primarily in the last two Pakistan vs New Zealand T20Is as the head curator of the Pindi Cricket Stadium Sarfraz Ahmad revealed there will be batting-friendly pitches.
“We have prepared different pitches for the four matches scheduled to be played at the Pindi Stadium during the next 12 days,” said Ahmad while talking to a local publication.
“The pitches during the T20I matches will be more or less the same that was available during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in March.
“Keeping in view the interest of cricket fans, T20 wickets should be more inclined toward the batter. The surfaces are being curated keeping in mind that aspect.
It must be noted here that New Zealand won their maiden T20I against Pakistan on the latter’s home soil last night and reduced the hosts’ advantage to 2-1 in the five-game series.
Set to chase 164, Pakistan failed just five short of victory as the home side could raise 159 before bundling out on the final delivery despite Iftikhar’s quickfire 60.
READ: You are not chacha: Afridi calls Iftikhar ‘boom boom’ after NZ T20I blitz