AS THEY TAKE AGAINST NEW ZEALAND IN THE SEMIFINALS, PAKISTAN HOPES TO RECAPTURE THE GLORY OF 1992
The fact that Pakistan has advanced to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 semifinals is nothing short of a miracle. In truth, Imran Khan's "Cornered tigers," who were helped by circumstances beyond human knowledge to reach the final four and then face off against New Zealand in the final, would have had a deja vu moment for the team's older supporters. The nation will be pining for a flawless rebroadcast of the 1992 World Cup today.
But what are the chances that a shaky Pakistan, who just just made it to the final four stage, can defeat the Kiwis, who nearly made it seem routine to win the most recent ICC championships, both ODI and T20, on Wednesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground? (New Zealand finished second in the ODI World Cups of 2015 and 2019 as well as the T20 World Cup of 2021).
The pace battery is a similar strength shared by both teams. With seasoned players like Trent Boult and Tim Southee, as well as express bowler Lockie Ferguson, New Zealand has all the tools necessary to dislodge even the best batting teams in the world. And if they could make the new ball talk, the pressured opening duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam could have a difficult time pulling themselves out of the current tournament's appalling batting slump.
Pakistan, on the other hand, will be hoping that Shaheen, who has recently regained his rhythm, makes an early breakthrough so that Naseem Shah and death-bowling expert Haris Rauf can't further pressurise the batting line of the strong-looking Kiwi team. Pakistan will attempt to avoid making any changes to their bowling lineup because their four recent victories have benefited from the acquisition of Mohammad Wasim Jr., an additional fast bowler.
In addition to their speed factory, Pakistan has a strong spin unit led by leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who has been the most significant player for the Green Shirts. Whether he is bowling or hitting, the all-rounder has made an impression and played significant parts in his team's victory.
This poll has ended (since 19 hours).
Which team will triumph today and advance to the T20 World Cup Final in 2022?
Pakistan 93.07%
New Zealand 06.93%
The teams batting first have an advantage over their opponents, as evidenced by the fact that they won 10 out of the 17 T20I matches, while the average first innings total was 167, according to the SCG statistics. Thanks to the explosive knocks by Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed as well as a stunning cameo by young Mohammad Haris during the powerplay, Pakistan bode far better than the average when they raised 185/9 against South Africa in their group encounter at the site.
Babar and Rizwan, the Green Shirts' two cornerstone batsmen, need to start performing at their best right now more than ever, and there is no better time than this. So far in the tournament, their plodding powerplay strategy has done more harm than good for the squad. However, a wager on the team's dynamic opener Haris might end Pakistan's stalemate at the top. Possibly or not? We need to wait and watch how today's game goes.
HEAD TO HEAD (T20Is)
Matches 28, Pakistan 17, New Zealand 11
FORM GUIDE
Pakistan: W,W,W,L,L
New Zealand: W,L,W,W,L
