PAK vs NZ: New Zealand's Predicted Playing XI Against Pakistan - ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Semi-Final 1

New Zealand take on Pakistan in the first semi-final in Sydney on November 9. The Kiwis have made it to their third straight T20 World Cup semis. They played in the final in 2021 but lost to Australia. The Kiwis topped Group 1 winning three out of the five games losing one and one game ending in a no-result.

In terms of head-to-head against Pakistan, The Kiwis have lost 11 out of the 28 games. Pakistan won 17 of those games. In T20 World Cups as well, Pakistan has had the wood over the Kiwis winning four out of the six games played.

New Zealand registered big victories over Australia and Sri Lanka. Their match against Afghanistan was rained out. They lost against England and won their final Super 12 game against Ireland to advance to the semis as the top team in Group 1. In this article, we take a look at New Zealand’s likely playing XI against Pakistan.

PAK vs NZ: New Zealand’s Predicted Playing XI AgainstPakistan – ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Semi-Final 1

Martin Guptill / Fin Allen

Allen has scored 91 runs in 4 games at an average of 22.75. He boasts of an outstanding strike rate touching close to 190. Meanwhile, Guptill is yet to play his first game in this World Cup. He is the third-highest run-scorer in T20Is in world cricket and has scored 526 runs against Pakistan, the most by any Kiwi batter to date.

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Devon Conway (WK)

Conway, the keeper-batsman started his campaign with an unbeaten 92 against Australia. Since then he has not scored consistently. At an average of 41.33, he has scored 124 runs in 4 games so far at a strike rate of 120.

Kane Williamson (C)

Like Babar Azam, Williamson has also struggled in this World Cup. However, the other batters around him have taken responsibility. So far he has scored 132 runs in 4 games at an average of 33.0 in this World Cup. He scored 61 off 35 balls in the match against Ireland.

Glenn Phillips

Phillips is the top scorer for the Kiwis in this World Cup so far. He has scored 195 runs in four matches at an average of 48.75 and a strike rate of 160. He will be the key player for the Kiwis in the semi-final against Pakistan.

Daryl Mitchell

Mitchell opened for the Kiwis in the last World Cup. In this edition, he is back in the middle order. He scored an unbeaten 31 off just 21 balls to take the score past 180 against Ireland. He has scored 56 runs in 3 games so far in this World Cup.

Jimmy Neesham

Neesham comes in with a reputation for being a big hitter and a finisher for the Kiwis. However, so far he has not had World Cup to remember. He has just 37 runs in the four knocks that he has played. He was dismissed for a first-ball duck against Ireland.

Mitchell Santner

Santner has been the most successful bowler for the Kiwis this World Cup. He has picked up 8 wickets at an average of 12.87 and an economy of 6.43. With the bat, he has scored 27 runs in three games.

Ish Sodhi

Sodhi will be the second spinner in New Zealand playing Xi. Against Ireland, he picked up 2 for 31. So far he has taken six wickets in four matches at an average of 17.33 and an economy below 7.

Tim Southee

Southee has picked up 7 wickets in 4 games so far at an average of 12.85 and an economy of 6.35. In the match against Ireland, he picked up 2 for 29. He can also use the long handle if required in the final overs.

Lockie Ferguson

Ferguson will be the second pacer in this Kiwi lineup. he has consistently clocked over 150 and touched over 150 as well on a few occasions. In 4 matches so far, he has picked 7 wickets at an average of 17.42 and an economy of 8.13.

Trent Boult

Boult concludes the likely playing XI for New Zealand against Pakistan for the first semi-final. He has picked up 6 wickets in 4 games so far at an average of 19.16 and an economy of 7.18. He went wicketless in the game against Ireland but will back him to come good in the big semi-final against Pakistan.

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