NZ and Pakistan collide after contrasting campaigns

BLACK CAPS TAKE ON THE 2009 T20 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS IN THE SEMI-FINAL AT THE SCG ON WEDNESDAY

New Zealand, cricket’s quiet achievers, and Pakistan, the game’s most unpredictable side, clash in the opening Twenty20 World Cup semi-final on Wednesday after making their way to the knockout rounds by starkly contrasting paths.The Black Caps hammered hosts and champions Australia in their tournament opener, had a match washed out and lost a high-quality contest to England before reaching a fifth successive white-ball World Cup semi-final as group winners.Pakistan’s journey started with a remarkable loss to India in front of 92,000 fans at Melbourne Cricket Ground which was followed by an equally dramatic upset at the hands of Zimbabwe and a rain-disrupted win over South Africa.They scraped into the last four by beating Bangladesh but only after a stunning upset of South Africa by the Dutch in the final round of group matches had cleared the path.You get the impression, however, that that is pretty much the way Pakistan like it.“Shadab (Khan) actually said something very significant in the dugout the other day, he said: ‘Welcome to Pakistan cricket’,” team mentor Matthew Hayden said yesterday. “Meaning that on any given day, anything can happen. When Netherlands beat South Africa, it was a significant moment for us in the tournament and as a result of that, I feel that there was very much an uplifting of tempo in our group.”If Pakistan will be looking to ride the momentum of their great escape from the group, New Zealand will be relying on a tried and tested philosophy as they seek to reach the final against India or England.“We’re just focusing on one game at a time as we have done throughout this tournament,” said captain Kane Williamson.“And now we’re in a semi-final, which is a nice place to be, but it’s about cricket and the type of cricket we want to commit to and keep playing and that will be our focus.”Blue skies are forecast for the Sydney Cricket Ground today for what could be an intriguing contrast between two well-balanced teams boasting some fine pace bowling.For some, the match has echoes of the 1992 50-overs World Cup in Australia, where Pakistan scraped into the last four before beating tournament favourites New Zealand in the semis and England in the final.Williamson was reluctant to ascribe to one of Pakistan’s finest hours in white ball cricket – they also won the T20 World Cup in 2009 – as being any sort of precedent. “I was two,” he deadpanned. “There’s also a rich cricketing history in New Zealand. A number of great moments.”Azam due ‘something special’: HaydenPakistan’s best is yet to come and struggling skipper Babar Azam is due “something very special” in their Twenty20 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand today, Hayden warned.The 2009 champions only scraped into the knockouts when the Netherlands unexpectedly defeated South Africa and Pakistan then beat Bangladesh to secure their second successive last-four berth.Former Australia opener Hayden, who was batting coach for Pakistan at the last World Cup and appointed team mentor for this edition, said they planned to make the most of their second chance. “When the Netherlands beat South Africa it was a significant moment for us, a very significant moment for the team in general around reaching its potential,” he said on the eve of the semi-final in Sydney.“Lots of prayers as Pakistan woke up to see that result, 232 million people can’t be wrong, and as a result of that I feel there has been very much an uplift in tempo in our group.“It has been a roller-coaster... but I really believe we have yet to play our best game, which is a huge threat to oppositions.”While Pakistan’s bowling, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, has been improving, their batting has been fragile, a concern against a top-class New Zealand attack led by Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson.Azam’s form in particular remains a worry with the opener managing just 39 runs in five matches. Hayden, himself a destructive opener who played 103 Tests and 161 ODIs, said the skipper was due some “fireworks” – and predicted they could come today. “There’s no question Babar has been under some adversity but that will only make him an even greater player,” he said.“We know with the weather that when there’s a lull, there’s often a storm that follows, so look out rest of the world because I think we’re about to see something very special from Babar.”New Zealand have long been a force in white-ball cricket, but have failed to turn that into world titles, including falling at the final hurdle to Australia in 2021.They started their campaign this year with a massive 89-run win against the defending champions, also in Sydney, and Hayden said Pakistan were wary of the Black Caps.“They got 200 on this particular wicket against Australia... New Zealand have some really destructive players and they can put you under pressure with the bat,” he said. “They’ve also got a terrific, well-balanced bowling attack.“Like New Zealand sport in general, they really punch above their weight, they believe they can win this tournament and they have the potential to do that.“So lots of threats to our camp, no question.”Williamson played down any significance in his team making 200-3 on the Sydney wicket, noting that they only managed 167-7 against Sri Lanka when they returned to the ground later in the tournament.“The first game we played here the wicket was a very good one and then the second time it had changed,” he said.“We’ll just be looking to focus on our cricket really and the plans that we are looking to execute and make sure we adjust to the conditions and try and play smart.”Williamson said the results counted for little when it came to the knockouts.“Finals sport can go any way,” he said. “Both teams match up pretty well, there’s some similar trends, we’ve both been playing some good cricket.“They’ve got an outstanding pace attack,” he added. “Some really experienced players throughout their side, match winners, so real strength in their team.”