Wet outfield delays toss for final ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand

The toss for the third and final ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, has been delayed due to a wet outfield on Saturday.

New Zealand have already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and will be eyeing to secure s whitewash victory over Pakistan.

Pakistan, on the other hand, will try to avoid a clean sweep by securing their first victory in the country since February 2011.

According to New Zealand Cricket (NZC), their in-form middle-order batter Mark Chapman has been ruled out for today’s match.

The left-handed batter, who also missed the second ODI due to a hamstring injury, was assessed during the home side’s training session for the upcoming fixture which revealed that he had not recovered sufficiently.

As a result, Tim Seifert, who was called in as Chapman’s replacement for the second ODI in Hamilton, will stay with the squad for the upcoming fixture.

After the Green Shirts suffered 84-run loss in the second ODI at Seddon Park on Wednesday, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan said: “It is sore, but it’s part of the game. We didn’t do well today. We didn’t utilise the swing effectively, and New Zealand bowled very well.”

“The bowlers of New Zealand were very disciplined; they bowled the hard lengths. In the last couple of months, we’ve lost key moments. Today, we didn’t perform well with the ball or the bat in the first 10 overs. Credit to Mitch Hay as well; the way he batted was amazing,” Rizwan said.

“We don’t know much about the pitch in Tauranga, but we’ll have to adapt.”