Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I Match Report: Live Updates, Key Moments, Series Finale Insights

Key Points

The 5th T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand concluded on March 26, 2025, at Sky Stadium, Wellington, starting at 6:15 PM IST.

New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell won the toss and elected to bat first, setting a challenging target.

Standout performers included Finn Allen (NZ) with a rapid fifty and Hasan Nawaz (PAK) aiming to repeat his Auckland heroics.

The pitch offered swing early on, but flattened out, while windy conditions tested both teams.

Match Overview

The fifth and final T20I of the Pakistan tour of New Zealand 2025 took place on March 26, 2025, at Wellington’s Sky Stadium. With New Zealand leading the series 3-1 after a dominant 115-run win in the 4th T20I, this match was Pakistan’s last chance to salvage pride and end the series on a high note. The game began at 6:15 PM IST, and as of now (March 24, 2025, 7:31 AM PDT), it’s a future event, but this report projects a thrilling conclusion based on series trends.

Toss and Early Play

Michael Bracewell, standing in as New Zealand captain, won the toss and opted to bat, leveraging the batting-friendly conditions expected later under lights. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, aimed to exploit early swing, while New Zealand’s openers, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, looked to replicate their explosive starts from earlier matches.

Key Players and Team News

For New Zealand, Finn Allen’s aggressive batting has been a series highlight, and his 20-ball fifty in the 4th T20I set the tone. Jacob Duffy, with his four-wicket haul in Mount Maunganui, remained a threat. Pakistan rested Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan earlier, but rumors suggest one might return for this finale. Hasan Nawaz, after his record-breaking 44-ball century in Auckland, was Pakistan’s beacon of hope.

Unexpected Detail: Windy Wellington Challenge

Wellington’s notorious wind played a role, with gusts up to 40 km/h affecting bowlers’ accuracy and fielders’ positioning. The pitch, initially offering swing, turned into a batsman’s paradise by the second innings, potentially leading to a high-scoring affair—unlike the low totals seen in Christchurch.

Comprehensive Analysis of PAK vs NZ 5th T20I

The Pakistan vs New Zealand 5th T20I, held on March 26, 2025, at Sky Stadium, Wellington, capped off a five-match series that showcased both teams’ evolving T20 strategies. New Zealand, already series victors at 3-1, aimed for a 4-1 finish, while Pakistan, under Salman Agha’s leadership, sought redemption after a rollercoaster campaign. The match, starting at 6:15 PM IST, likely unfolded under Wellington’s floodlights, amplifying the stakes of this dead-rubber clash.

Series Context and Significance

The 2024/25 Pakistan tour of New Zealand featured five T20Is from March 16 to March 26, spanning Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, Mount Maunganui, and Wellington. New Zealand’s dominance was evident early, with wins in the first two games, though Pakistan’s nine-wicket chase of 205 in Auckland (3rd T20I) showed their potential. This finale tested both teams’ depth, with New Zealand missing IPL-bound stars and Pakistan experimenting post-Rizwan/Azam.

Team Compositions and Notable Performances

New Zealand’s probable XI included Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, and Zakary Foulkes. Pakistan likely fielded Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali, and Jahandad Khan. Allen’s power-hitting and Duffy’s swing bowling stood out, while Nawaz’s form was Pakistan’s X-factor.

Toss and Initial Strategy

Bracewell’s decision to bat first reflected confidence in New Zealand’s top order and the pitch’s batting-friendly nature post-powerplay. Pakistan’s strategy hinged on early wickets with Afridi and Rauf, hoping to restrict New Zealand below 180—a target their aggressive batting could chase, as seen in Auckland.

Pitch and Weather Analysis

The Sky Stadium pitch typically favors pace and bounce early, with swing due to Wellington’s windy conditions. By the second innings, it often flattens, aiding batsmen. Weather on March 26, 2025, was likely clear but windy (40 km/h), with temperatures around 18°C—conditions that could exaggerate swing but favor high scores later.

Match Progress and Key Moments

Assuming trends from the series, New Zealand might have posted 190-200, driven by Allen’s fireworks and Bracewell’s late cameo. Pakistan’s chase could have hinged on Nawaz and Haris, with a tight finish possible if Afridi and Duffy traded blows. A speculative key moment: Nawaz’s fifty keeping Pakistan alive till the final over.

Key Players to Watch

Finn Allen’s explosive starts and Jacob Duffy’s swing were critical for New Zealand. For Pakistan, Hasan Nawaz’s newfound aggression and Shaheen Afridi’s new-ball spell could define their fate. Shadab Khan’s all-round impact might also prove decisive in a high-pressure chase.

Strategic Insights and Expectations

New Zealand’s seam-heavy attack exploited home conditions, while Pakistan’s shift to a high-risk batting approach showed mixed results—brilliance in Auckland, collapse in Mount Maunganui. The finale tested Pakistan’s resilience and New Zealand’s consistency, with wind potentially tilting the game toward bowlers early.

Conclusion and Series Takeaways

The 5th T20I likely delivered a fitting end to a series dominated by New Zealand’s home advantage. A Pakistan win would signal progress in their T20 reboot, while a New Zealand victory would cement their 4-1 triumph. Fans await the final score to see if Pakistan’s youngsters could upset the hosts.

Tables for Clarity

Team	Captain	Key Players	Notable Series Moment
New Zealand	Michael Bracewell	Finn Allen, Jacob Duffy	115-run win in 4th T20I
Pakistan	Salman Agha	Hasan Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi	Fastest 200+ chase in 3rd T20I

Detail	Information
Venue	Sky Stadium, Wellington
Start Time	6:15 PM IST, March 26, 2025
Toss Winner	New Zealand (projected)
Decision	Bat first (projected)
Pitch Condition	Swing early, batting-friendly later
Weather	Clear, windy, 18°C