The stage is set for a thrilling series decider as New Zealand and South Africa head to Christchurch for the 5th and final T20I. With the series currently locked at 2-2, this match is a winner-takes-all encounter.

The series has been a rollercoaster of momentum. South Africa struck first with a dominant opening win, only for the Black Caps to roar back with consecutive victories to lead 2-1. However, the Proteas showed immense grit in the 4th T20I at Wellington, defending a target of 164 to level the scores.

Both squads are featuring several fresh faces following the 2026 T20 World Cup, providing a glimpse into the next generation of talent. New Zealand will look to their experienced leader James Neesham and the bowling of Ben Sears to clinch the trophy at home, while South Africa relies on the red-hot form of Connor Esterhuizen and the spin masterclass of captain Keshav Maharaj.

NZ vs SA, 5th T20I: Match details

• Date and Time: March 25; 11:45 am IST / 6:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm Local
• Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

NZ vs SA, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

Matches played: 24 | South Africa won: 14 | New Zealand won: 10 | No result: 0

Hagley Oval Pitch Report

The Hagley Oval is historically one of the most balanced decks in New Zealand, but it traditionally favors pace and bounce. Fast bowlers tend to dominate here, typically accounting for over 60% of the wickets. The morning/evening moisture often assists early swing. Teams winning the toss often prefer to bowl first, as the chasing side has historically found it slightly easier to navigate the conditions under lights.

Probable playing XIs

New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, James Neesham (c), Cole McConchie, Josh Clarkson, Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears

South Africa: Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Rubin Hermann, Dian Forrester, Jason Smith, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj (c), Ottneil Baartman, Nqobani Mokoena

Also READ: Connor Esterhuizen propels South Africa to series-leveling win over New Zealand in 4th T20I

NZ vs SA, 5th T20I: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• New Zealand wins the toss and bowls first
• South Africa’s powerplay score: 40-50
• South Africa’s total score: 160-170

Case 2:

• South Africa wins the toss and bowls first
• New Zealand’s powerplay score: 50-60
• New Zealand’s total score: 170-180

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest.

Also READ: NZ vs SA T20I Series: Date, Match Time, Broadcast and Live Streaming details

The Middle East crisis has stretched to its fourth week and oil prices have finally shown sign of relaxation, cooling off sharply on Wednesday. Fuel prices fell over 5%, giving back some of the gains from the previous session, as hopes of a possible diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East raised expectations that supply disruptions might ease.The slide followed reports that the United States had put forward a 15-point proposal to Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. US President Donald Trump said Washington and Tehran are “currently in negotiations” and suggested that Iran is eager to strike a peace deal, even as the Islamic Republic has denied holding any direct talks with the United States. He further added that in case the two nations agree to a deal to end the war, oil prices would “drop like a rock.”By 0058 GMT, Brent crude futures were down $6.21, or 5.9%, at $98.28 a barrel, after hitting a low of $97.57. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $4.67, or 5.1%, to $87.68 a barrel, having earlier dropped to $86.72. The fall came a day after both benchmarks had climbed nearly 5% on Tuesday before retreating in volatile post-settlement trade. Meanwhile fuel prices also moved higher, with petrol climbing to a national average of $3.98 per gallon, according to the AAA motor club, marking a 34% rise since the war began. Diesel prices have surged even faster, reaching $5.35 per gallon, up 42% over the same period.Market participants appear to be adjusting positions amid slightly improved expectations of a ceasefire, leading to some profit booking. At the same time, uncertainty over the outcome of the proposed negotiations has kept the downside from deepening further.At the same time, supply concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved. The conflict has disrupted flows through the key passage, which carries nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.International brokerage Macquarie told ET that even if tensions ease in the near term, oil prices are expected to hold firm in the $85–$90 range, with a gradual climb back towards $110 once normal flows through the Strait of Hormuz resume. It further cautioned that if disruptions continue through April, Brent prices could still rise to $150 per barrel.Looking ahead, the broader outlook points to further upside in crude. Kayanat Chainwala of Kotak Securities said prices could reach $120 per barrel in the near term and may even touch $150 if the conflict drags on.

MUMBAI: Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde exchanged veiled remarks in the Maharashtra legislative council on Tuesday, as the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader was given a farewell marking the end of his term.Shinde initiated the farewell motion, addressing his former party chief as “Uddhav saheb Thackeray” and saying there are no full-stops in politics, while extending his wishes.The two leaders have avoided naming each other directly since their split in June 2022, when Shinde rebelled against Thackeray’s leadership, leading to the fall of the latter’s government.During his remarks, Shinde appeared to draw a contrast with Thackeray while speaking about deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe, saying she was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Both Shinde and Gorhe had worked under the leadership of Bal Thackeray.In his response, Thackeray made a cryptic remark, saying, “Bulls are being slaughtered for selfish reasons.”The comment was seen as an oblique reference to a controversy involving self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, who was recently arrested for allegedly raping a woman on the pretext of performing rituals. Photographs of Shinde visiting a temple built by Kharat in Nashik had surfaced after the arrest.Leaders of the Sena (UBT) have also previously alleged that bulls were sacrificed at a temple in Guwahati when Shinde and his faction travelled to Assam following the 2022 split.The council also bid farewell to several other members, including Gorhe, Amol Mitkari, Shashikant Shinde, Rajesh Rathod, and BJP leaders Dadarao Keche, Sanjay Kanekar, Ranjeet Sinh Mohite-Patil and Sandeep Joshi.

Temperament was not like that of a typical politician: Fadnavis

Earlier, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis recalled his long association with Thackeray, dating back to their alliance when the undivided Shiv Sena and the BJP were partners.“We developed friendship. I will not say it is not there (now),” Fadnavis said.He added that Thackeray’s temperament was not like that of a typical politician.“Many a time he (Thackeray) is seen clashing, launching a strong attack, counter attack. But this is not his original temperament. His original temperament is measured and maintaining relations,” he said.In his farewell speech, Thackeray responded, “If you knew me so well then why did you hold someone else’s hand,” referring to the BJP’s alliance with Shinde after the 2022 split. Thackeray also called for the appointment of Leaders of Opposition in both houses of the state legislature, despite the opposition lacking the required numbers.The six-year term of the members ends in May, and the farewell took place on the penultimate day of the ongoing budget session.