Fifth T20I: New Zealand elect to bowl first against Pakistan

Lahore: New Zealand on Saturday elected to field first in the final T20I match against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium this Saturday evening.

Pakistan is determined to reclaim their dignity in tonight's crucial T20I clash with New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Despite possessing a formidable team, Pakistan faces the uphill task of leveling the series, with New Zealand leading 2-1. The challenge is compounded by Pakistan's inability to clinch a victory in the rain-affected first match in Rawalpindi.

Under Babar Azam's captaincy, Pakistan has suffered defeats in two consecutive matches against a relatively inexperienced New Zealand side.

In the fourth T20I encounter, Pakistan fell short of New Zealand's target of 178 runs, managing only 174/8. New Zealand's O'Rourke stood out with the ball, taking three wickets for 27 runs, while Ben Sears also claimed two wickets for the same number of runs.

There are anticipations of pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah being included in the squad for tonight's match.

Teams:

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir

Pakistan to play without their frontline speedster Naseem Shah

New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Will O'Rourke, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi