Pakistan look to redeem lost pride against Kiwis

Pakistan are coming into the Group 2 Super 10 game having suffered their 11th defeat to the arch-rivals in ICC’s world events. The 2009 champions entered the tournament after an early elimination in the Asia Cup.   

On the contrary, the New Zealanders are on a roll with two massive wins over hosts India and Australia, making them one of the strong contenders to lift the coveted trophy on April 3. Another win and they will be in the knockout stages of the mega-event. 

New Zealand have emerged as the team to beat after the stunned tournament favourites India first up, before getting the better of traditional rival Australia in a trans-Tasman battle. While the spinners stood out in both games with a bagful of wickets on pitches that aided turn, left-arm fast medium bowler Mitchell McClenaghan proved to be Australia’s nemesis with a three-wicket burst in hilly Dharamsala. 

McClenaghan aside, the likes of left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and Nathan McCullum troubled the Aussies as well as the Indians, with their guile and accuracy. However, batting is an area New Zealand would do well to address.

Barring Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi, the batsmen struggled against India. The tournament is till to witness a half century from the blade of a New Zealander. Pakistan began the tournament with a convincing win over Bangladesh and the batting and bowling both clicked. 

However, in the curtailed game against India at Eden Gardens, they buckled under pressure and Virat Kohli’s batting masterclass. Shahid Afridi alongside Mohammad Hafeez would hold the key for Pakistan.