T20 World Cup 2022 1st semfinal, New Zealand vs Pakistan : After some heart-stopping humdingers and upsets, the T20 World Cup has reached the final stages.
An unpredictable Pakistan side will clash with a formidable New Zealand in the first semifinal of the ongoing marquee event at Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
While Pakistan had a miraculous roller-coaster of a journey to the semis, the Black Caps had a straightforward passage into the knockouts after they finished top of Group 1.
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But Kane Williamson's side has to defy history when they take the ground on Wednesday. In the last two limited-overs tournaments World Cups, the 2019 ODI World Cup and 2021 T20 World Cup, New Zealand failed to cross the line when it mattered the most, the finals.
However, on the eve of the first semifinal, captain Kane said that his team doesn't feel any pressure for not having won a tournament.
While addressing the press conference on the eve of the New Zealand vs Pakistan semifinal clash, Williamson said:
"I suppose when you turn up everybody wants to win, that's kind of a big part of the idea, I guess, of tournament sport. If you can find yourself in positions where you can compete to get across the line, that's a really good thing. But we're going into a semifinal. There are four teams there that certainly have the ambition to go the way and it's certainly been the case in the other tournament. So it's exciting. They're all great teams. All playing really good cricket. And we're certainly focused on our challenge tomorrow. And it's a strong Pakistan."
Also read: Pakistan legend Wasim Akram slams PCB for sharing dressing room videos
Pakistan, on the other hand, entered the semis after being on the verge of getting knocked out post their two losses at the start of the tournament. They are now looking good, having registered two back-to-back wins.
But the form of their captain Babar Azam had been a big cause of concern in the tournament given the Pakistani captain has managed to score only 39 runs in 5 matches played so far.
Babar Azam's score in five matches of ICC T20 World Cup Super 12 round:
vs India: 0 (1)
vs ZIM: 4 (9)
vs NED: 4 (5)
vs SA: 6 (15)
vs BAN: 25 (33)
Despite Babar's poor run of form, Pakistan team mentor Mathew Hayden has backed the captain and said the world can see a Babar special in the semi-final clash against New Zealand.
Hayden said: "There's lots of people that talk, but those of us that have been in the changing rooms with Babar and realize that cricket, when it's all said and done, is a very difficult game. You can't continue to keep on punching out hundreds and 50s and strike rates of 140-plus. There's got to be moments in time where there's a lull. And as we all know about the weather, once there's a lull, there's often a storm that follows. So look out, rest of the world, because I think you're about to see something very special from Babar."
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI: Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi.
New Zealand predicted playing XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (capt), Glenn Phillips, Daryll Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
New Zealand vs Pakistan: Sydney weather forecast
The weather had played spoilsport in the ongoing marquee event. But the rain is likely to stay away from New Zealand vs Pakistan semifinal game on Wednesday during the game. There are chances of rainfall in the morning, 11 am local time, but during the game, which starts at 7 pm local time, there is only 20 percent of rainfall. However, if wet weather conditions do play spoilsport then there is a reserve day for the semifinal.
Pakistan vs New Zealand T20 World Cup live telecast details
PAK vs NZ live Match Timings - 1:30 PM (IST)
Pakistan vs New Zealand live telecast: Star Sports 1 with English commentary
NZ vs PAK live streaming - Disney+Hotstar
New Zealand vs Pakistan LIVE | ICC T20 World Cup 1st semi-final full scorecard
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