On Wednesday, the first Twenty20 World Cup semi-final will take place between New Zealand. The sport’s underdogs in terms of success, and Pakistan, the most unpredictable team in the competition.
The Black Caps defeated tournament hosts and defending champions Australia in their opening match. Had a game called off, then fell to England in a close game. Before winning their group and advancing to their sixth straight white-ball World Cup semifinal.
The spectacular defeat Pakistan suffered to India in front of 92,000 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It follows a similarly dramatic setback at the hands of Zimbabwe and a victory over South Africa that was spoil by rain.
By defeating Bangladesh, they managed to make it into the last four. But only after the Dutch stunned South Africa in the final round of group matches to clear the way.
“Shadab (Khan) actually said something very significant in the dugout the other day, he said: ‘Welcome to Pakistan cricket’,”
team mentor Matthew Hayden said
“Meaning that on any given day, anything can happen. When Netherlands beat South Africa, it was a significant moment for us in the tournament and as a result of that, I feel that there was very much an uplifting of tempo in our group.”
Matthew Hayden added
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A tried-and-true philosophy is used by New Zealand
New Zealand will be banking on a tried-and-true strategy as they aim to face India or England in the final, while Pakistan will be seeking to capitalize on the momentum of their incredible group-stage comeback.
The event, according to some, is reminiscent to the 1992 World Cup for 50-over cricket in Australia, where Pakistan barely made it to the last four before defeating tournament favorites New Zealand in the semifinals and England in the championship match.
Williamson was hesitant to establish any type of precedent with one of Pakistan’s best performances in white ball cricket (they also won the T20 World Cup in 2009).
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