PAK vs NZ Match Preview, ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Semi-Final 1

Pakistan take on New Zealand in the first semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Sydney on November 9. The PAK vs NZ match starts at 1.30 pm IST which is 7 pm local time.

This is Pakistan’s sixth semi-final out of eight editions of the T20 World Cup. New Zealand, have managed to make it to the semis thrice in a row (2016, 2021, 2022)since making the semis in the very first T20 World Cup in 2007 The Kiwis lost to Australia in the final last year.

The super 12 round began on October 22 with the first match between Australia and New Zealand- the finalists of last year’s T20 World Cup. Now the campaign is in its business end with just three matches remaining. A total of 45 matches will take place during ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The ICC T20 World Cup 2022 final will be played on November 13.

Speaking about New Zealand and Pakistan, the Kiwis topped Group 1 to make it to the semis. Pakistan, on the other hand, surprisingly finished second on the table after losing their first two games to make it to the semis. South Africa losing to the Netherlands meant that Pakistan had to beat Bangladesh in a virtual quarterfinal which they managed to do successfully.

PAK vs NZ Match Preview, ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Semi-Final 1

Pakistan

The Men in Green have problems with their top-order heading into the semi-final. Mohammad Rizwan has scored just 103 runs in the tournament so far while Babar Azam has just 39. 25 of those runs came in the previous match against Bangladesh. Despite the lack of runs from openers, Pakistan’s middle order has been their strength in the tournament so far.

Shan Masood (134 runs @ 44.66) and Iftikhar Ahmed (114 @ 28.50) have been their two mainstays in the middle order. Cameos from Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Mohammad Haris have helped the team win games as well.

Pakistan’s pace quartet of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Wasim is the team’s biggest strength. Together they have accounted for 24 wickets. Shadab Khan is the team’s highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets. All of them would be eager to weave their magic against the Kiwis. Having defeated the Kiwis in the recent tri-series final just before the World Cup, Pakistan would be aware of their strengths and weaknesses.

Pakistan Squad

Babar Azam (Captain), Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Shan Masood, Mohammad Haris, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi

New Zealand

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson’s poor form has kept the management thinking. He has scored just 132 runs in 4 matches. For New Zealand, Glenn Phillips is the top run-getter for the team so far. He has smacked 195 runs in 4 games at an average of 48.75. The Kiwis would be expecting another big contribution from the bat of Phillips.

Like Pakistan, the Kiwi pace attack is their biggest strength as well. The trio of Tim Southee (7), Trent Boult (6), and Lockie Ferguson (7) accounted for 20 wickets. The Kiwi spin duo of Santner and Sodhi has picked up 14 wickets together. Santner with 8 wickets at an average of 12.87 is the team’s leading wicket-taker.

Thus it can be safely said that the first semi-final is a battle between two good bowling attacks with the batters from both sides needing to stand up.

New Zealand Squad

Martin Guptill, Finn Allen (WK), Kane Williamson (C), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Trent Boult

Also Read: PAK vs NZ Weather Forecast And Pitch Report Of Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney – ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Semi-Final 1