First Semifinal of the T20 World Cup Preview: Unpredictable Pakistan To Face Reliable New Zealand. On paper, the formidable New Zealand team seems strong. But when they play the unpredictable and confident Pakistan on Wednesday in Sydney’s first T20 World Cup quarterfinal. They will have to defy history.
The Kiwis finished first in Group 1 after victories against the defending champions Australia. Sri Lanka, and Ireland in a group of “death”. In contrast to Pakistan’s unpredictable and miraculous route into the last four.
Babar Azam and his teammates were likely considering their exit strategy. When the Netherlands favored them by eliminating South Africa on a dramatic Sunday. After losing two crucial Super 12 matches against India and Zimbabwe up front.
To go to a fantasy semifinal, Pakistan just needed to defeat Bangladesh in the second game of the day.
It feels familiar since Pakistan faced off against New Zealand in the 1992 World Cup semifinal. Winning the game and the title in the process.
Pakistan also has precedent on their side. Defeating New Zealand in all three of their previous World Cup quarterfinal matches in ODI (1992, 1999, and T20 (2007)).
Williamson will attempt to score quickly. Against a Pakistani batting order that has not been playing to its strengths in situations that are more favorable for them.
Skipper Babar continues to struggle, and Mohammad Rizwan is not at his menacing best either. Even as they chased a modest 128 goals against Bangladesh, they were in a frenzy.
The Kiwi pace combo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee will return to the same field. Where they previously shook up the top order of Sri Lanka and Australia en way to facile victories as they aim for a good start.
Interestingly, Pakistan’s bowling is one of their strongest suits, therefore winning the match with the bat will be crucial.
When Daryl Mitchell recovered from a finger injury, he appeared to be in top form. He would attempt to bear the duty in the center with the skipper and their man-in-form Glenn Phillips.
For the Black Caps, Phillips has been a revelation, scoring a century and a half-century in the previous three games.
After a slow start, captain Williamson has scored some runs in the last two games as he attempts to lead his team to yet another championship game.
On the other side, Pakistan will be eager to show that their trip to the semifinals was not an accident.
Despite their good fortune, Pakistan’s outstanding bowling, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, has been the key to their triumph.
Shaheen has been effective since making his comeback from injury, particularly in his most recent game when he stopped Bangladesh’s advancement with a career-best four-wicket haul.
Rauf has served as their “silent assassin,” carefully going about his business while having a reasonable understanding of the circumstances.
New Zealand squad
Kane Williamson (Captain), Martin Guptill, Finn Allen (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, and Trent Boult.
Pakistan squad
Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Shan Masood, Mohammad Haris, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi are the players who make up the team’s captain, Babar Azam.