Revenge will be in the back of the mind of every Pakistan cricketer when they face New Zealand in their second match of the ICC T20 World Cup in Sharjah on Tuesday. However, the match will see some extra dose of rivalry in the wake of New Zealand’s last-minute withdrawal from the 1st game of the 5-match ODI series citing security reasons in Rawalpindi On September 17.
The Kiwi’s decision led the England to pull out of a scheduled series in Pakistan that hampered Pakistan’s World Cup preparations.
Now, Pakistan will try hard to channelise their anger into some proper cricketing action by giving a tough fight against New Zealand.
However, 3 teams were on Pakistan’s target in this tournament – India, New Zealand and England. As Pakistan has already dealt with their arch-rival India by securing 10-wicket victory on Sunday, the team will now face New Zealand at Sharjah.
For a lot of Pakistani fans, the team have already won the World Cup by ending its 29-year-old World Cup jinx against India but the Pakistan has already shown the hunger for winning the T20 World Cup trophy as Babar had discussed with his players in the dressing room after the Sunday’s victory.
Babar had also said Pakistan have not just come to Dubai to just win against India but to win the World Cup. Always remember that excess celebrations would only disturb focus, he said in his speech after the victory against India.
In 24 T20ls between Pakistan and New Zealand, the Kiwis have won 10 while Pakistan won only 14.
New Zealand will be playing their first math of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 on Tuesday and could disturb Pakistan’s momentum. The Kiwi’s didn’t make a great start to their campaign, however, having lost both their warm-up matches.
Tim Southee proved expensive in both the games while Lockie Ferguson has been bowling really well. As for the spin department is concern, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi are likely to make the cut.
New Zealand have a strong top-order Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips. Guptill looked in great form in both the games and that is a positive sign for New Zealand. Jimmy Neesham played a handy 18-ball 31-run knock against Australia in the warm-up match.
Under the captaincy of Babar Azam, Pakistan looked very balanced in the T20 World Cup.
At the beginning of the match, the pacer Shaheen Afridi rocked the India’s top-notch Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, but New Zealand have enough experience and cool heads in their team.