This has been one phenomenal T20 World Cup, many billing it as the best of all time. With the number of upsets we have seen and twists and turns, it would not be a wrong judgment to make. Who would have thought that Pakistan will, eventually, make it to the semifinals after the horrible start they got off to. Who would have thought that South Africa will go down to Netherlands in such a manner and Australia, the defending champions and the hosts, would be knocked out? The fact that this has been a World Cup where there are no clear favourites even at the end of the Super 12 stage and that any team could beat any team on a given day, makes it one of the best tournaments ever in our sport’s history.
Only three matches left now to find who is the new T20 World Cup champion. England, India and Pakistan have done it once, and New Zealand will be eager to get off the mark.
The first semifinal between Pakistan and New Zealand is going to be another mouth-watering encounter. Pakistan, to me, will have the upper hand over the Black Caps. Not to forget, Pakistan have done this before, beating New Zealand in semi-finals. They have a habit of doing it to the Kiwis in the big matches of World Cups. I remember, 30 years ago, losing to Imran Khan’s Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup semi-finals in Australia. Then, in 1999, New Zealand lost another semi-final in the World Cup to Wasim Akram’s Pakistan in England. They seem to be a nemesis side for New Zealand, particularly in World Cups.
I also think Pakistan have just found their mojo. They had a terrible start to the campaign with defeats to India and Zimbabwe respectively but now they have started to find their self-belief. And many other things, including their best XI, is falling into places. They beat South Africa to bring their campaign back on track. The Netherlands win ensured them they had their first victory of the tournament but it was really the SA match that brought the best out of Pakistan and
gave them the self-confidence required to go deep into the tournament. They then got over the line against Bangladesh in a low scoring encounter, booking their spot in the last-four. I just feel they have started to believe more and more.
Pakistan need their top order to fire
What Pakistan need now is their captain Babar Azam to fire and form a strong partnership with opening batter Mohammad Rizwan. One of the biggest reasons why Pakistan have been winning T20Is in the last year or two is the good form of their top order, which interestingly has not fired on all cylinders so far in this World Cup. Babar and Rizwan put on a fifty-run stand against Bangladesh in ages where they regained some sort of rhythm.
Pakistan’s bowling attack remains their key weapon. They have some marvelous pacers, throw in Shadab Khan and Mohmmad Nawaz and you have a beautifully balanced attack to take on New Zealand’s Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips. Pakistan bowlers vs New Zealand’s top and middle order is a really good matchup to look out for.
On the flip side, New Zealand’s pace attack vs the Pakistani top order will also be exciting to watch. The Pakistani top order has struggled a lot in this tournament. Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson can make early inroads and then possibly Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi can put the brakes on. New Zealand’s bowling attack must aim to put the Pakistani top order on back foot at the start and ensure they crumble. Then it will be fascinating to see how the middle
order responds again after the top order misfires.
Black Caps are known for raising their game in big matches in the World Cups. Kane Williamson’s side has a knack of making it to the semifinals and finals of ICC tournaments. 2019 ODI World Cup final followed by 2021 T20 World Cup final. Before that they have made their presence felt in 2015 ODI World Cup final and semis of the T20 World Cup 2016. What they need is that that one last push to win the trophy and the Kiwis will have that in mind when they
take on Men in Green at SCG on Wednesday.
How will SCG track behave?
If it is a pitch like New Zealand had against Australia, I think it will be better for the Kiwis. Ball came on well on the bat and Finn Allen played that brilliant innings followed by Devon Conway’s 92 not out. But it is also true that such a track will assist the pacers if they get it right. Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has got his form back, will then become threatening as he can make the ball talk on such a wicket from the word go.
However, if this is a slower pitch, like we have had in other round-robin games at SCG, it could be a little tricky for both the sides. I believe any side winning the toss, should look to bat first. It is the big semi-final and you would want to put the runs on the board. Imagine getting 180 or 190 batting first and putting pressure on the opponent in the chase. That should be the ideal way to approach the knockout match for both the sides.
