New Zealand go into semi-final as favourites against Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cup

History and geography are often used to give a context to sport. Cricket is no different. On Wednesday, it will be the clinically efficient New Zealand against a fired-up Pakistan in the first semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup in Sydney. The last time the Black Caps won an ICC title in white ball cricket was the Champions Trophy, around 21 years ago in Kenya.

That was in the ODI format. Pakistan, too, won their first big trophy in Australia, in 1992, when Imran Khan led the side to the World Cup triumph, against all odds. Pakistan is invoking that same spirit of 1992, which was 30 years ago, to win the trophy this time.

Geographically, yes, this is the same country, Australia, where Pakistan triumphed. Historically, to suggest Pakistan are superior to New Zealand, would be wrong. A lot has changed in these years, since the time they won their big ODI trophies. The ICC T20 trophy events are taking place just too fast and making comparisons based on stats and past is a bit too much.

Unpredictability has been a key factor in this tournament and this is one area where the Kiwis have shown this time they are a different team altogether. The hype game from media, social media, and fans screaming hoarse is vastly different.

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The Black Caps under Kane Williamson are cool and capable of handling all the dirty tricks which the Men in Green could unleash at the ICC T20 World Cup

In New Zealand, cricket is not the No.1 game. Even when they returned home after winning the ICC World Test Championship last year against India, celebrations were not so loud. New Zealand, is a sporting nation, no doubting that. They are outdoor people, who take pride in all kinds of sporting activities.

Yet, they never shout from rooftops that they are going to win the T20 World Cup. Maybe, that helps their team stay more calm. On the eve of the big match, there is an enormous amount of energy being spent in Pakistan and outside Pakistan by the Men in Green. For a country torn by political upheavals, with the former boss of the nation, Imran Khan, getting shot in the leg, conveys how unsafe the nation is.

Their economy is in the doldrums and post-Covid, they are still struggling to lead a good life, in comparison to India or other developed nations. That is why you will find a large number of Pakistanis settled abroad, almost wherever they can fly to and earn a living. Nothing wrong in that, really. One should not be surprised if there are more fans dressed in Green on Wednesday when the semi-final takes place.

Pakistanis are there in plenty in Australia as well, though their behavior will be watched with a keen lens by the security forces inside the SCG. The journey of the two teams has been a study in contrast. If the Kiwis ran over hosts Australia in the lung opener, they have looked calm, composed, and clinical.

Their approach has been simple, play cricket with professionalism and cut out the histrionics. Even when Kane Williamson was not batting with aggro, there was criticism. Yet, New Zealand as a nation does not bay for the blood of their skipper. It is not in their DNA to behave like that.

Does it give the Kiwis more breathing space? Yes, it does. From the top of the batting order, with Finn Allen, Devon Conway, and Kane Williamson in command, their batting has been efficient. Of course, one cannot forget Glenn Phillips the marauder. In contrast, Pakistan’s batting has appeared a bit like a sand castle built near the seashore.

Not fragile, but almost collapsing even when there is a mild breeze. Their opening pair conundrum is a worry, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan struggling. Come to the bowling, New Zealand have brilliant merchants in Trent Boult and Tim Southee, as their pick.

The finger spin of Mitchell Santner, who bowls with plenty of guile, and the steady Ish Sodhi are comforting factors. Kane Williamson is there like the Dad, ready to do the supervision role and act as a calming influence.

The Pakistan bowling has oscillated like a pendulum in motion. It has swung from sublime to ridicule, though in their last match, Shaheen Shah Afridi, son-in-law of Shahid Afridi, bowled with control and penetration. He prised open the Bangladesh batting line-up and looked devastating. Apart from Shaheen, the Pak bowling has variety with Shadab Khan being the pick.

Any mention of Haris Rauf brings back memories of Virat Kohli launching into a six which defied the laws of geometry and physics. After all, the power, angle, height, and acceleration which Kohli achieved and pumped power into that shot with his beautifully strong arms is still fresh in memory.

On paper, New Zealand are the favourites. In terms of playing with the type of street-dog aggro and ready-to-bite, Pakistan are dangerous. What more can fans expect from two teams with different DNAs in cricket? Sit back, fasten your seat belts and watch what pans out.

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