NZ Vs PAK 2025, 3rd T20I: Match Prediction, Dream11 Team, Fantasy Cricket Tips & Pitch Report

The Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2025 has reached a crucial juncture, with the third T20I set to take place at Eden Park, Auckland, on March 21. Trailing 2-0 in the five-match series, Pakistan finds itself in a do-or-die situation, needing a victory to stay alive in the contest. Meanwhile, New Zealand has dominated the series so far, winning the first two matches convincingly and looking to seal the series with another victory.

Pakistan, under new captain Salman Agha, has struggled to deliver strong performances, particularly with the bat. Their middle order has been inconsistent, and they have lacked stability, which has made it difficult to post competitive totals. On the other hand, New Zealand has looked composed and clinical, capitalizing on Pakistan’s weaknesses to secure back-to-back wins.

With both teams set to clash at the iconic Eden Park, let’s take a closer look at the match preview, pitch report, key players, fantasy picks, and more ahead of this high-stakes encounter.

Series Overview: New Zealand’s Dominance

The home side has been in commanding form, winning both matches convincingly:

1st T20I:
Pakistan was bundled out for a paltry 91 runs, and New Zealand chased it down effortlessly, winning by nine wickets.
2nd T20I:
Pakistan showed some improvement, posting 135/9 in 15 overs (due to rain), but New Zealand once again chased the target comfortably, winning by five wickets with 11 balls to spare.

The BlackCaps have outplayed Pakistan in all departments, with their batting, bowling, and fielding clicking at the right moments.

With the series on the line, can Pakistan bounce back and turn the tide? Or will New Zealand continue their dominance and seal the series?

Match Details

Fixture: 3rd T20I – New Zealand vs Pakistan
Date & Time: March 21, 2025 | 07:15 PM Local / 06:15 AM GMT / 11:45 AM IST
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Live Streaming & Broadcast: Available on major sports networks and digital platforms.

Eden Park Pitch Report

Eden Park is one of the most famous cricketing venues in New Zealand, known for its short boundaries and batting-friendly conditions.

The pitch generally supports batsmen, with an average first innings score of around 176 runs in T20Is.
Seamers will get some assistance with the new ball, especially under lights, but spinners may struggle due to the shorter boundaries.
The women’s match preceding this game might slow down the surface slightly, offering some grip for spinners in the later stages.

Toss Factor

Teams winning the toss may prefer to bowl first, considering the chasing-friendly nature of the venue.
Given the high-scoring history at Eden Park, batting second provides an advantage.

Pakistan’s Struggles: What Needs to Change?

Pakistan’s biggest concern has been its batting inconsistency. In the first two matches, they failed to build partnerships, with only Agha Salman (46 in the second T20I) showing some resistance.

Key Issues:

Middle-order failures:
- Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, and Usman Khan have failed to make an impact.
Slow start in the powerplay:
- Pakistan has not utilized the field restrictions well, leading to low scores in the first six overs.
Lack of aggressive intent:
- The batting approach has been defensive, with few power-hitters stepping up in crucial moments.
Bowling inconsistencies:
- While Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf have bowled well in patches, the lack of support from other bowlers has hurt the team.

If Pakistan wants to stay alive in the series, they must fix these issues quickly.

New Zealand’s Winning Formula

New Zealand has executed their game plan flawlessly, excelling in both batting and bowling.

Strengths:

Explosive openers:
- Tim Seifert (89 runs in 2 matches) and Finn Allen (67 runs in 2 matches) have provided strong starts.
Middle-order stability:
- Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman have ensured smooth chases.
Bowling firepower:
- Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, and Michael Bracewell have contained Pakistan’s batsmen well.
Captaincy advantage:
- Michael Bracewell has led the side tactically well, making smart bowling changes.

With momentum on their side, New Zealand will be confident of wrapping up the series in this game.

Probable Playing XIs

New Zealand:

Tim Robinson
Tim Seifert (wk)
Finn Allen
Mark Chapman
Daryl Mitchell
James Neesham
Michael Bracewell (c)
Ish Sodhi
Jacob Duffy
Ben Sears
Kyle Jamieson

Pakistan:

Omair Yousuf
Usman Khan (wk)
Abdul Samad
Mohammad Haris
Khushdil Shah
Salman Agha (c)
Irfan Khan
Shadab Khan
Shaheen Afridi
Haris Rauf
Abrar Ahmed

Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Predictions

Fantasy cricket fans looking to build their Dream11 teams should consider these top picks:

Wicketkeeper:

Tim Seifert (NZ) – Consistent performer, aggressive stroke play.

Batters:

Finn Allen (NZ) – Capable of big hits, high strike rate.
Omair Yousuf (PAK) – Needs to anchor Pakistan’s innings.

All-rounders:

James Neesham (NZ) – Useful with both bat and ball.
Michael Bracewell (NZ) – Captain and key player.
Salman Agha (PAK) – Pakistan’s best performer so far.
Shadab Khan (PAK) – Needs to step up with bat and ball.

Bowlers:

Jacob Duffy (NZ) – Effective in powerplays.
Ish Sodhi (NZ) – Crucial leg-spinner.
Shaheen Afridi (PAK) – Pakistan’s strike bowler.
Haris Rauf (PAK) – Can bowl at the death.

Captain and Vice-Captain Choices:

Michael Bracewell (C), Salman Agha (VC)
Jacob Duffy (C), Shadab Khan (VC)

Final Thoughts: Can Pakistan Fight Back?

The third T20I is a make-or-break match for Pakistan. If they fail to win, they will lose the series, leaving them with only pride to play for in the remaining games. To stage a comeback, Pakistan must fix their batting woes and show more aggression.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will look to maintain their dominance and close the series with another clinical performance.

Will Pakistan rise to the challenge, or will New Zealand seal the series in style? March 21 will reveal the answer!

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