NZ Vs PAK: 1st Semi Final Pre-Match Analysis

NZ vs PAK: New Zealand will clash with Pakistan in the semi-final of the occurring ICC T20 World Cup 2022. New Zealand topped the Group B with 3 wins from 5 matches. Pakistan had a bit of a fortunate going as they completed six points in group A with three wins. Babar Azam’s led team has found some victory heading into the semi-finals. 

Pakistan had harvest at the right time and unbelievable head-to-head records. Pakistan has won 4 out of 6 matches against New Zealand in the history of the T20 World cup. On October 11, 2022, New Zealand won the match by 9 wickets. On October 14, Pakistan won by 5 wickets, October 8, Pakistan won by 6 wickets. Whereas on October 26, 2021, Pakistan won by 5 wickets, and in the game on December 22, 2020, Pakistan won the match by 4 wickets. 

NZ vs PAK: Strength Of The Teams

NZ vs PAK: It was South Africa’s defeat against the Netherlands that supported Pakistan’s qualification for the semis. Babar Azam and Company also defeat Bangladesh to enable to set up a conflict with New Zealand. Shaheen Shah Afridi was helpful in Pakistan’s late revival in the T20 World cup 2022. He has grabbed six wickets in two matches and is looking threatening. Shahab khan has also been amazing for the side taking 10 wickets in 5 games. They are Balling in their strong match for Pakistan and have yet again been conveying.

Pakistan

Pakistan bowling is very dangerous through out the tournament. Their pace bowlers are bowling hard and giving break through to their team in the starting overs. They have not conceded more than 166 runs in any of the match yet. Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan will play the key role in the Semifinal.

Pakistan lost to Australia in the semis in the last T20 world cup in 2021. This time they are eager to keep one step closer. This won’t be so easy as New Zealand are brilliant with their bat and ball. Only skipper Kane Williamson’s structure is a bit of concern for the side, but he, too rebounded with a terrific 61 against Ireland.

New Zealand

New Zealand strength is not dependent on one player, which has helped them to extend their success in this year’s displayed event. Every batsman of their team is contributing right now and helping their team to post huge targets.

Journey Of Both the Teams

The T20 World Cup has finally got its Four semi-finalists at the last of 42 matches played in the Super 12 round. From group 1, New Zealand and England were qualified; on the other hand, India and Pakistan from group 2. The Super 12 round saw many highs and lows as the favorites were beaten by dark horses. And rain played a part in deciding the team’s fate. However, just a few days to start, four teams will try to win the two matches and be the World Cup champions in the T20 format. Let’s have a look at how the teams reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup:

New Zealand: The team captained by Kane Williamson began its drive by routing the host Australia in the first match of the super 12 by 89 runs. A bang from which the host nation could not regain because of the Net Run Rate. The second match between New Zealand and Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain, and points were divided by the teams. In the next three games, New Zealand won against Sri Lanka by 65 runs while losing to England by 20 runs. In the final match, they defeated Ireland by 35 runs and qualified as the first team for the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan’s Surprise Entry In Semis

Pakistan: The most astonishing entry in this year’s T20 World Cup is Pakistan. As they formed a late entry on the final day of the group stage game after the Netherlands beat South Africa by 13 runs. The team led by Babar Azam lost their two opening matches against India and Zimbabwe by four wickets and 1 run. But they were back very strongly in the last three remaining matches. Where they beat South Africa by 33 runs in a rain-shortened match, the Netherlands by six wickets, and in opposition to Bangladesh by five wickets.

 In the first semi-final, New Zealand will play against Pakistan on November 9, 2022, in Sydney.

Weakness Of Both The Teams

The T20 World Cup has stepped into the business. And lastly, we have four teams that will proceed to the semi-final phase of the ICC tournament. The blowout stage will be recharged with two teams of New Zealand Vs Pakistan. The match organized to be held on November 9 at SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground). While New Zealand had a peaceful ride to the semi-final, Pakistan has drafted a major comeback in the ICC tournament. 

Pakistan team weakness

The major problem arose out in the tournament of the Pakistan team is that their reliable experience opening batsmen are not clicking. Both Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan are the Captain and Vic-Captain of the team respectively. They should have to take responsibility in the big match against New Zealand.

Bowler Tim Southee stated New Zealand would not underrate Pakistan in the T20 World Cup semi-finals. Despite the south Asian side’s tussle to make it through the group phase. Pakistan seemed to exit the competition until the Netherlands secured an astonishing 13-run win over on South Africa on Sunday. That signifies victory over Bangladesh later in the day took Babar Azam and his team to the elimination rounds. 

New Zealand team weakness

We have saw in the previous matches that their pace bowling is not been influential as they are known for. Tim Southee and Trent Boult are one of the best bowlers in the World. They both looked off color in last three matches and conceded too many runs. Lockie Ferguson is also performing in a pieces. The trio need to rake responsibility of the team to win their Maiden ICC Title.

NZ vs PAK: Statement By Southee Regarding The Match

NZ vs PAK: When you reach the top four, every side has a chance. Also, Southee stated that they had played a lot against Pakistan and they were too dangerous. Credit to them that team Pakistan probably turn up thinking that they didn’t have much chance. But they will play another good performance, and they will play a massive ultimatum come to the semi-final. A win over Pakistan would gain New Zealand to the final against India or England in Melbourne. But Southee stated the black caps, who lost to Australia in last year’s final, were considering it one game at a time. 

After losing two matches, Pakistan was standing on the verge of elimination. But players kicked up at the right time of the side, and luck also supported to exceed in the game for the semis. 

Shan Masood, MD Harris, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Shadab khan have contributed masterly in the middle order. As they have to strike high records in the right stage. Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Hari Rauf will clutch the key to restrict the batters of New Zealand in the game. 

NZ vs PAK: Players with Experience

NZ vs PAK: On the other hand, the drive started with Devon Conway bashing a brilliant 94 balls off just 58 balls in front of Australia. Glenn Phillips carved up an incredible ton vs. Sri Lanka. And completed with Kane Williamson securing a brilliant 61 off just 35 against Ireland amidst criticism of a bad strike rate. 

The pair of experienced pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee have to usher their A game in front of reconstructed Pakistan’s batting. Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, and Ish Sodhi will be similarly important by the side. New Zealand should not consider Pakistan lightly as the latter has currently defeated Kane Williamson and boys to secure the Tri-series in New Zealand. 

NZ vs PAK: Pitch Report And Weather Report

NZ vs PAK: The surface of the Sydney Cricket Ground has been a paradise for batting. And we can expect some good quality of batting from both teams. A high-scoring match will be on the cards as both team characteristic some quality batters in their teams. At the same time, bowlers would not be upset. As there would be much help, mostly for the fresh bowlers, to keep them interested. There are no possibilities of the rain in the match and the match will be played without any interruption. The match will be interesting to see Haris Rauf/Shaheen Afridi vs Glenn Phillips/Kane Williamson tussle at Sydney ground. 

NZ vs PAK Possible Playing 11

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.

New Zealand: Fin Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson.

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