SHARJAH – The same Pakistani squad which humiliated India yesterday are set to take on the New Zealand in T20 World Cup clash today.
On Sunday, Green Shirts outplayed India by 10 wickets to break their 12-match losing streak against the arch-rivals at World Cups.
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi shined with the ball for Pakistan at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 12 Group ‘2’ match in Dubai, recording figures of 3-31 in his four overs. He took the crucial wickets of India openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli.
Pacer Hassan Ali took two wickets. Fast-bowler Haris Rauf and spinner Shadab Khan, taking one wicket each, played an important role in restricting India to a total of 151 after Babar won the toss and opted to field first.
Then, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s opening partnership of 153 runs ensured Pakistan got off to a flying start. Babar smashed 68 off 52 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes while Rizwan hit 78 off 56, smashing six fours and three sixes.
PAKvIND: Pakistan make India bite the dust in first encounter of T20 World Cup
PAKvNZ clash in T20 World Cup
Taking a break from practice on Monday, Pakistani players are now ready to play their next Super 12 match against New Zealand today, before taking on Afghanistan on Friday.
Bowling coach Vernon Philander says his team has already put their momentous win over India “behind them” as they prepare to face Kiwis, who cancelled their series in Pakistan last month due to a security threat – a move which drew the ire of fans, players and officials in the cricket-crazy nation.
While many in the South Asian countries consider it a chance for “vengeance” – as PCB chairman Ramiz Raja subtly put it after New Zealand abruptly ended last month’s tour, Black Caps have played down any animosity with Pakistan.
They insist they are not “bothered by any extra attention” on their opening match at cricket’s T20 World Cup.
PCB chairman Ramiz Raja speaks on New Zealand abandoning Pakistan tour (VIDEO)
When does the match start?
The match starts at 7:00pm (Pakistan time).
Squads:
PAKISTAN (Expected playing XI): Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi
NEW ZEALAND: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, *Adam Milne (injury cover)
