One great thing about T20 cricket is that it always has an element of unexpectedness associated with it. It is proportionate to free-style cricket, and the players take the field intending to maximise the output. A format that batters have dominated since its inception knows no constraints, and over the years, it has only upheld this assertion. Run-scoring has become a cakewalk, and bowlers' lives have turned into a mayhem. With the usage of modern-day batting equipment, coupled with smaller ground boundary dimensions and field restrictions, the sky is the limit for the batting sides. Team totals have exceeded all predictions, normalcies, and their highest aggregation is the only and safest way to play the game. 

In a recent incident, the latest of all and one of a kind, the iconic Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, became witness to a record-breaking and beast run scoring by the English team. England have been hosting South Africa for a T20 International (T20I) series, and in the second game played out on a chilly Mancunian evening (12th September 2025), the former went berserk. Scaling new T20I peaks, their batters splurted explosives on the Proteas, taking the attack to the opposition, and eventually went on to score 304 runs for the loss of just 2 wickets. This total became the third instance of a team passing 300 in T20Is, the third highest score of all time, and the first such time achieved against an International Cricket Council (ICC) full member side, the previous highest being India's 297/6 against Bangladesh at Hyderabad in 2024. 

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Some statistical narratives from England's run fest are firsts in the circuit of the shortest format of our beautiful sport. Phil Salt, 141 runs unbeaten off 60 balls, and Jos Buttler, 83 runs off 30 balls, hammered the rainbow nation's bowlers to all corners of the ground, on their way towards establishing an opening partnership of 126 runs in mere 47 deliveries. Also, since the records have been kept, 166/1 by England at the halfway stage is the highest ever total struck at the end of the 10th over in a T20I fixture. Moreover, 12.1 overs taken by them to reach the 200 mark is the earliest a team has got to that milestone across all the T20 games. Last but not least, the terrific first wicket stand between the Lancashire pair at a run-rate of 16.06 is the highest ever for a century-plus opening partnership in a T20I by a full member nation.

Well that was something else 👏

We post our highest ever Men's IT20 innings score! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/2Pve5QwYtl

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 12, 2025

 A look at the highest team totals smashed in T20I history

The finale of the T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand is here. With New Zealand's lead standing at 3-1, the last match presents Pakistan with the opportunity to limit the series margin, while New Zealand is looking to intensify its grip on the series. The 5th T20I will take place at the infamous Sky Stadium in Wellington, which is infamous for its lively pitch and avid support from the crowd.

Match Details

Pakistan Probable Playing XI

Pakistan's combination of experienced campaigners and new players will be eager to finish the series on a positive note. Skipper Salman Agha will try to motivate his men, while pace pair Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will try to test the Kiwi batsmen.

New Zealand Probable Playing XI

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New Zealand, under captain Michael Bracewell, has provided depth and steadiness throughout the series. New Zealand's opening three of Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Mark Chapman have worked tirelessly to ensure competitive scores are posted, with the bowling lineup, led by Jacob Duffy, keeping the Pakistani batsmen under wraps.

What to Expect

Sky Stadium's pitch has traditionally been hospitable to both the batsmen and bowlers, with the prospect of an interesting contest. Since the series is already decided, both sides could try out their combinations, giving fringe players chances to prove themselves. Spectators can expect a rollercoaster encounter as Pakistan looks for redemption and New Zealand attempts to end the series on a high note.

The fourth T20I series game between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played at the scenic Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The series, with New Zealand currently 2-1 up, will see Pakistan aiming to level the series and arrange an exciting climax.

Match Details

Pakistan Probable Playing XI

There is a combination of veterans and rookies in Pakistan's team. Salman Agha is the captain of the side, while Mohammad Haris handles the wicketkeeping duties. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf head the speed bowling, to tackle the Kiwi batsmen at speed and precision.

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New Zealand Probable Playing XI

Michael Bracewell leads the New Zealand team. Opening batsmen Tim Seifert and Finn Allen offer solidity at the batting end with their aggressive style of play. Ish Sodhi and Jacob Duffy lead a bowling attack with experience and youth.

With both sides having a combination of old warhorses and new faces, the 4th T20I is going to be an interesting match. Will New Zealand seal the series, or will Pakistan stage a comeback to make the series level? Keep watching to know!

Pakistan did what only Pakistan can surprise the world with brilliance at the very moment when you least expect it. After two disappointing showings in the first two T20Is of their five-match series against New Zealand, the visitors came back stunningly on Friday in Auckland, chasing down a record 205 in 16 overs to keep the series alive.

The overnight hero was 22-year-old Hasan Nawaz, who appeared in his third T20 International. Having scored ducks in his initial two games, the young batsman made a statement with his knock, hammering 105 from 45 deliveries to guide Pakistan's record-breaking chase. He achieved his hundred in a mere 44 deliveries, smashing Babar Azam's record for the quickest T20I hundred by a Pakistani batsman earlier 49 balls against South Africa in 2021.

- He's 22 Year old.
- He's playing debut series.
- Vs New Zealand in NZ.
- Chasing 205 runs.
- Smashed fastest T20I Hundred for PAK.
- He scored 105*(45).

HASAN NAWAZ - A SPECIAL TALENT FOR PAKISTAN. ⭐ pic.twitter.com/Lefb94GhxG

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 21, 2025

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Pakistan reached the target with nine wickets in hand, producing one of their most comprehensive performances in recent times. Skipper Salman Ali Agha played the ideal supporting role, staying unbeaten on 51 off 31 balls.

The 205 chase is now Pakistan's second-highest successful T20I run chase and the joint-highest overseas an assertive reaction from a side under pressure following consecutive losses.

With the series currently standing at 2-1 in favor of New Zealand, Pakistan will hope that this nail-biting victory is the catalyst they need to bring the tide around.

Match Details

The battle between New Zealand and Pakistan will be an entertaining match, as both teams will feature a strong side. Let us see the likely playing XIs of both teams.

Pakistan Probable Playing XI:

Pakistan's team has a mix of experience and youth, with Salman Agha as the captain. Mohammad Haris will be taking up wicketkeeping responsibilities, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will lead the bowling attack.

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New Zealand Probable Playing XI:

Michael Bracewell is captaining a similarly balanced team in New Zealand as well. A sound batting setup headed by finisher-style hitters like Finn Allen and Tim Seifert can be expected from it. Variety and depth are promised in the bowling ranks headed by Ish Sodhi and Jacob Duffy.

With both sides having a combination of seasoned and rising stars, this game promises to be an exciting affair. Pakistan's pace bowling prowess will be tested against New Zealand's powerful batting lineup, and it will be an interesting battle between bat and ball.

Pakistan will tour New Zealand for a T20I series, and the selection committee is likely to bring some new faces along with seasoned players. The team has a combination of all-rounders, pace bowlers, and hard-hitting batters.
The team has players such as Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Sufiyan Muqeem, along with new faces like Irfan Khan and Jahandad Khan. Following is the likely squad:

Likely Squad

🚨Pakistan's likely T20I squad for New Zealand tour.

- Shadab, Haris, Sufiyan, Arafat, Irfan Khan, Zaman Khan, Wasim Jr, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Agha Salman, Abrar, Omair Bin Yousuf, Khushdil, Hassan Nawaz, Ali Raza, Abdul Samad, Akif Javed and Khawaja Nafay. pic.twitter.com/gKNp0Uci1s

— Salman 🇵🇰 (@SalmanAsif2007) March 2, 2025

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This team represents Pakistan's plan to strike a balance between inexperience and experience. Having youth players included means that the management has the strategy of developing future stars well before big events.
Pakistan will be looking for a good outing against New Zealand, and people cannot wait to witness how this team fares