Pakistan face confident New Zealand in crucial Super 10 encounter today
New Zealand and Pakistan face contrasting fortunes when they meet each other here in a crucial Super 10 encounter here today.
For Pakistan it is a must-win after losing their last game against tournament hosts India, while New Zealand can afford to slip up after sitting atop of the Group 2.
However, the Kiwis will look to seal the last-4 birth today with a win over Pakistan, thereby allowing the benched players a chance to enter the field in their final Super 10 clash against Bangladesh.
New Zealand have certainly lived up to the dark horses tag so far in the tournament with two massive upsets, beating India in the opener and following it up with a crucial win against their arch-rivals Australia in the second match.
The win against India was even more impressive for the island nation. After being touted as the clear underdogs against the Men in Blue, New Zealand produced one of the biggest shock.
They were not able to put up a challenging total and and were restricted only for 126 runs. But, Black Caps bowled brilliantly, aided by their spin trio of Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Nathan McCullum, humbled India to a mere 79 runs.
They followed it up against their fierce rival Australia in the next match. After putting on 142 runs, New Zealand bowlers yet again provided the rescue act by restricting Aussies to a mere 134 runs to clinch a 8-run victory.
On the other hand, Pakistan find themselves in a spot of bother. The Asian side may not be just yet be ousted from the tournament if they lose to New Zealand. However, the possibility of them qualifying will become very difficult as Pakistan will have to heavily depend on other team’s results.
Pakistan started the World T20 in style but brushing aside Bangladesh in their opener with a 55-run win. Both their batting and bowling clicked in that specific encounter.
However, they couldn’t build on that incredible start as yet again they fell short to their old foes India in a World Cup. As a result of which Pakistan’s net run rate took a big hit. They still remain in second position, but a loss against New Zealand, followed by a win either for India or Australia in the next match, both these sides could well pip Pakistan for the coveted second position.
For Pakistan the pace attack has been the biggest strength and that department has fired really well so far. With the likes of Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Sami, they are difficult to score runs from.
However, the inconsistent batting has been the main problem for Pakistani team.
After a good display with the bat against Bangladesh, the old problems returned for them. Against India, they struggled to score runs and managed a mere 118 runs in 18 overs.
If Pakistan are going to reignite their chances in this tournament, they have to start clicking in both the departments. The likes of Mohammad Hafeez, Shehzad Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi, who scored an incredible 19-ball 49 runs, have to step up.
Having said that New Zealand’s batting has neither lived up to the level. Having struggled for runs in both the matches so far, the Kiwis will hope for the power hitters, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson will finally start scoring the runs that is expected from them.
Nonetheless, this will be a game, in which bowlers are expected to dominate all the headlines.
If the pitch in Mohali is similar to the one that was present in Nagpur and Mumbai, then New Zealand are likely to go with three spinners.
Although New Zealand’s coach Mike Hesson is yet to finalise the play eleven. The coach said based on the conditions and the opposition, a decision will be made only on Tuesday.
For Pakistan, irrespective of pitch, pacers such as Amir, Sami and Wahab Riaz are expected to start. If it is a spinning track, the onus will lie mainly on Afridi and part-time spinner Malik to do well. Whereas for New Zealand, the likes of Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan, Trent Boult and Corey Anderson will be the ones to watch out for.
SQUAD
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (capt), Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, luke Ronchi, Ross Taylor, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santer, Nathan McCullum, Grant Elliott, Mitchell McClenaghan, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Corey Anderson.
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Irfan, Sharjeel Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Sami, Khalid latif, Mohammad Amir, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Khurram Manzo.