WELLINGTON: With the T20 series already decided, Pakistan will be seeking a consolation victory over New Zealand when both the teams clash in the fifth and final match in Wellington on Wednesday.

New Zealand outclassed a new-look Pakistan side by 115 runs in the fourth T20 in Mount Maunganui to take an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the series.

Pakistan’s assistant coach Azhar Mahmood said the team would try to end the series 3-2.

“Definitely the [T20] series has been decided. The morale of our team was down but the fighting spirit and energy they demonstrated by our youngsters, despite losing the series, is a positive sign for us,” Azhar said while talking to media after the tourists’ training session in Wellington on Tuesday.

“[Therefore] our task as coaches is to motivate them [to enhance their game] because this is international cricket; and losing the series does not mean that we are out. On our part, we will try to win the last match and end the series 3-2,” the former pacer added.

Responding to a query as to why Pakistan bowlers were conceding 200-plus totals in T20s despite having the likes of Aaqib Javed (interim head coach) and himself in the team management, Azhar said the game had changed a great deal.

“If you notice, par score in modern-day [T20] cricket is touching 180-200 and above, it is not 150-160 anymore. Innovative shot-making has changed the game a lot; a slightly wayward delivery can go for six due to inventive strokes attempted by many batters [in the shortest format],” the 50-year-old stated.

Replying to another question on the frailties of Pakistan’s bowling, the coach acknowledged that the bowlers would need to improve.

“Definitely as bowling unit, we will have to learn and adapt to different [playing] conditions,” Azhar underlined.

“Our bowlers have performed in patches. What happened [in this T20 series] is one of our bowlers [on a given day] performed individually while the rest struggled. As a [complete] bowling unit we have not performed as we should have.

“Therefore, we, as a unit, will have to improve. If three of our bowlers do well [in a game] there are chances we can take wickets as well as win games [consistently].”

When asked to comment on his experience of coaching a young team alongside Aaqib, Azhar said it has been good.

“Yes, the experience of working with this young team has been quite nice. For instance our [mystery spinner] Abrar Ahmed has only played around eight to 10 T20 International matches, which is nothing. Youngsters gain experience by playing more and more [top-level] games,” he said.

“The challenges in batting which we faced here [in New Zealand] is [extra] pace and bounce. I would say that I never saw this much pace and bounce which we experienced in the first T20. Our batters [correctly] used the pace in the third game [which Pakistan won] whereas in the fourth match our players went to fight with the pace which did not work [for us].

“Similarly, in bowling one has to find the right length. If you bowl short of length, it becomes easier for the [New Zealand] batters to play cut and pull shots which is their bread and butter.”

On whether there would be any changes in Pakistan’s playing XI for Wednesday’s match, Azhar said a couple of changes were discussed but added it would be known at the time of toss.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2025