New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first in the fifth and final One Day International (ODI) match against Pakistan. The match is being played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Pakistan.
This decision by New Zealand's captain comes as no surprise, as the team has consistently batted first throughout the series. The team is looking to put up a big score on the board and put pressure on Pakistan's batting lineup.
New Zealand has had a dominant series so far, winning all four matches leading up to this final game. The team has been in fine form, with both their batsmen and bowlers performing exceptionally well. Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, and Tom Latham have been the standout performers with the bat, while Tim Southee and Trent Boult have led the bowling attack with distinction.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has had a disappointing series, failing to capitalize on their home advantage. Their batting has been inconsistent, with only Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman showing any real form. Their bowling has also struggled to make an impact, with Shaheen Afridi being the only consistent performer.
With the series already won, New Zealand will be looking to end on a high note and complete a clean sweep of the ODI series. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be looking to salvage some pride and end the series on a positive note.
The pitch at Rawalpindi is expected to be flat, which should make batting easier for both teams. However, with some moisture in the pitch, the fast bowlers are likely to get some assistance early on. The spinners will also come into play as the match progresses, with the pitch expected to take turn.
Overall, it promises to be an exciting match, with both teams looking to finish the series on a high note. The pressure will be on Pakistan's bowlers to restrict New Zealand's batsmen, while their own batsmen will need to step up and score big if they are to have any chance of winning
