Whoever can execute their game plan better will likely emerge victorious at the University Oval today.
The Black Caps lead the five-game ODI series 2-0 and are enjoying a golden summer at home. The team has strung together nine consecutive wins across three formats, so it is playing some great cricket.
But there is one area where Kane Williamson feels his side could do a lot better. While the bowlers at the top of the order have delivered early wickets, Pakistan has been able to fight back through its lower order and the captain wants his attack to crush that resistance.
Williamson did not use the word crush, of course. He was much more diplomatic.
"We learned a few lessons from the last game," he said.
"They bat very deep, the Pakistani side, and that is a sign of a good side. We know that they keep coming hard.
"We were able to take those early wickets, which certainly helped us. But to see their lower order come out and then put together a partnership, which gave them a total which could have been tough to chase, was a great sign for them.
"But it is important that we learn from that as well and look to do that a little bit better."
The Black Caps have made one change, all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme replacing seamer Matt Henry in the 12.
He seems a likely starter, but Williamson said the team would examine the wicket this morning before making a decision.
"They sprinkled [the wicket] this morning with a little bit of water, so we want to have another look at it when it is fully prepared."
If de Grandhomme gets the nod, then it is likely leg-spinner Todd Astle will make way, with Mitchell Santner perhaps seen as the saver spin option. Both have been bowling well, though.
De Grandhomme was in terrific form with the bat during the test series against the West Indies last month and would be an asset in the middle order.
Dashing Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is expected to return from a leg complaint which kept him sideline for the second ODI. He scored 82 not out in game one and will bolster the top order, which has struggled to adjust to the conditions in New Zealand.
Pakistan batting coach Grant Flower said earlier in the week the team was working on ways to combat the sort of bounce it faced at the Basin Reserve and Saxton Oval.
The pitch at the University Oval is likely to offer the tourists a reprieve. The groundsman, Mike Davies, said high winds had stripped the wicket of some of its moisture and it might be a tad slower.
Pakistan had won nine straight ODIs before arriving in New Zealand and Williamson has a healthy respect for the challenge the visitors present. He also has no doubt they are capable of more than what they have shown in the series so far.
"They’ve been a good side for a long time now. They’ve built strongly as a team and they’ve come a long way.
"We’ve seen that in their recent successes ... so we know it is always a tough game when we play them, which is why we want to focus on our performance and building on the good things that we’ve been doing."
