Pakistan lost the 3rd T20I to an under-strength New Zealand team in Rawalpindi.
In the third T20I played in Rawalpindi, New Zealand's B team defeated Pakistan's full-strength team by 7 wickets. After this defeat, instead of taking responsibility, Azhar Mahmood, who became the new head coach of the team, was seen making excuses in the post-match presentation.
Ahead of the New Zealand series, the Pakistan players had trained rigorously at the Kakul Army camp prior to the series. The Pakistan army trained the Pakistan players in different strength building exercises which included climbing a hill carrying heavy rocks and doing firemen’s carry as well.
Azhar Mahmood also addressed the team's injury concerns. Azam Khan got a right calf muscle strain and was consequently ruled out of the series. Mohammad Rizwan, the ace batter and keeper, has also had a niggle and will miss the next match.
“The players worked very hard during the Kakul camp. There can be body fatigue as well. Rizwan had a niggle and with the World Cup ahead of us, we pulled him out, so that his injury doesn’t get aggravated. Irfan too was pulled out for the same reason, but Azam’s case was a setback for us,” Azhar Mahmood said after the game.