Unpredictable Pakistan takes on resourceful New Zealand in 1st semi-final

Pakistan captain Babar Azam

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson

• New Zealand can punch above their weight: Pakistan coach Hayden

SYDNEY: After 42 matches spread over three weeks the eighth edition of the ICC T20 World Cup has reached the semi-finals, the first of which takes place between Group1 leader New Zealand and Group2 runner-up Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.

Pakistan was dominant in the first two editions of the T20 World Cup finishing runner-up to India in 2007 and winning the title in 2009 beating Sri Lanka in the final. But since then, has never made it to the final.

New Zealand will be wanting to put the record straight after losing the 2021 final to Australia at Dubai by eight wickets. It was the first time that New Zealand had come that far in this tournament and are now within touching distance of making it to their second successive final, if they can beat Pakistan. What makes Pakistan such a dangerous side is because of their blow hot, blow cold performances. 

One day they can be ordinary and, on another day simply outstanding. A lot of people are comparing the Pakistan performances in the current tournament to that of the one in 1992 when they won the fifty-over World Cup in Australia under Imran Khan. On that occasion too Pakistan was on the verge of being knocked out of the tournament but managed to somehow survive and go and win it.

In the ongoing T20 World Cup, Pakistan had to depend on the result of the South Africa-Netherlands match for their survival. The shocking result that Netherlands produced by defeating South Africa, opened the door for Pakistan who went on to beat Bangladesh and sneak into the semi-finals. 

“One of the things I’ve always admired about Pakistan cricket is their ability to be able to turn up in big moments. And mind you, there’s a big moment ahead of us tomorrow,” said Pakistan head coach Matthew Hayden at the pre-match media conference. “We all understand that big games are about handling pressure and handling adversity and there’s huge expectations and challenges. Also, I’ve seen great changes, and this side has continued to challenge itself from the last World Cup.”

“Got on the wrong side of the results in the Asian Cup. But still, that’s a completely different tournament. The way we’ve prepared is excellent. The way that the middle order in particular from a batting stance has stepped up to the plate has been excellent. And those fast bowlers, there’s four of them. They come at a good pace. That’s exciting for the game, not just T20 cricket, but also Test cricket.”

“We’ve gone about our cricket in a pretty unique way. We’ve had Shaheen (Afridi), who came into the tournament with some injuries and now through bowling efforts, he’s starting to really hit his straps. And that’s a dangerous combination. We have four quicks. They’re all significant players in their own right.”

Assessing the opposition, they are going to face Hayden said: “New Zealand has some really destructive players, and you can be put under pressure with the bat. That almost was their perfect game (against Australia), I felt, in the World Cup. They’ve also got a terrific bowling attack, a well-balanced one. Good mixture of experience. 

“I even played against Tim Southee, that goes to show you how much experience that team has got. He turns up; he can swing the ball. Lockie Ferguson has great pace, lots of experience in T20 cricket as well and poses good threats. They’ve got good off-pace bowling as well.”

“Like New Zealand sport in general, they really punch above their weight. They believe they can win this tournament and they’ve got the potential to do that. So, lots of threats to our camp, no question.”

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson reckons it’s going to be a tough game. “Both teams are going to play in the semi, playing some good cricket throughout. For us, it’s just focusing on our cricket. You come to these tournaments, and as we’ve seen, all teams can beat each other and it’s definitely a pretty exciting event.”

“I guess you’re going through it trying to adjust to conditions as quickly as possible, make those changes to the different opposition and really go out and try and express yourselves. It’s been nice that we’ve been able to see that throughout this competition. And certainly, I want to be doing that again tomorrow.”

About Pakistan: “They’ve got an outstanding pace attack. They’ve been playing really good cricket. Very experienced players on their side, match winners. So real strength. A very well-balanced side. In this format, it can be fickle. You’re certainly trying to take the risks required you need to move your team forward. And as we know the quality they have, the Pakistan team from one to right down the order.”

Head-to-head Pakistan have won 17 of the 28 T20Is played between the teams, including four of their six clashes in previous editions of this tournament.