The 43rd Match of the T20 World Cup and the first Semi-Final will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Moor Park, Sydney, New South Wales, in Australia. The match will start at 1:30 PM IST on 9th November.
It is very important that whichever team wins the toss should choose to bat first and the batting team needs to be cautious for the first couple of overs. Because as seen in this T20 World Cup, there is a little bit of extra movement in the pitch that helps the fast bowlers, especially in the first 3-4 overs.
When the ball stops swinging the batman can start to play their shots. In no way does it mean that if there is a ball that needs to be hit should not be taken advantage of for at least the first 6 overs to best of their ability. Because in this semi-final whichever team plays well in the first 6 overs will have a greater chance to book a berth in the final.
Talking about the two stake holders in this match, New Zealand team has been a beautiful fairy Tale. They have always started the tournament as Underdogs but have always given outstanding performances, both with the bat and the ball at the gigantic World Stage.
On the other hand, the Pakistan team has a strong bowling attack, but their batting has been a Problem for them not just in this tournament but in the past as well. Their strike rate in the first 6 Overs has been crate seized by well know cricket experts, because they bat very slowly in the first 6 Overs, due to which they are not able to gain momentum and are not able to move forward in the game. They need to cash in on the first 6 Overs and for doing that they need to go hard from the get go.
The intent of scoring runs and going for big shots in the fielding restrictions, aggression in their approach and taking the attack to the opposition bowlers even if it means losing a few wickets in the process, can give a huge payoff. The side needs to leave behind the timid approach and roar a bit to send the opposition to the dumps.
TFG Fantasy Picks for PAK vs SA
Pakistan:
Babar Azam He has played 97 T20 International matches, scored 3270 runs with a batting average of 41.39 and a strike rate of 127.98 in his T20 career so far. The Pakistan captain Babar Azam possess a copy book technique, plays classic cover drive though the covers, vends out an authentic pull shot in front of square leg and plays delicate cut against the spinners. He also plays well with the spin straight down the ground. Although not been in good form but he is a top class player and it’s impotent for him to click in this big match for Pakistan.
Mohammad haris is a young and upcoming right handed wicket keeper batsman who plays impressive pull and the cut shot with lovely pickup flick over the leg side. He also plays a pretty looking straight drive down the ground. Mohammad has played 3 T20 International matches, scored 66 runs with a batting average of 22.00 and a strike rate of 178.37 in his T20 career so far. He looks like a player who likes to take the attack to the opposition bowlers and has the capacity to score quickly. Looking at his aggressive intent it seems that he has a bright future in the short format game.
Mohammad Rizwan is the second most important player in the pecking order as for as the Pakistan batting line up goes. He has played 78 T20 International matches, scored 2563 runs with a batting average of 49.28 and a strike rate of 126.63 in his T20 career so far. Mohammad plays the back foot punch well in front of point and the flick shot beautifully though the leg side, skilfully playing the pull and the cut shot, he is player to watch out for.
New Zealand:
Finn Allen Plays the game of cricket with an aggressive intent if he is provided a little bit with outside of the stump, he will cut you hard through the offside and play a smashing cover drive through the covers. He has played 22 T2O International matches, scored 560 runs with the batting average of 25.45 and a strike rate of 165.68 in his T20 International career so far. He can go straight over mid-off with the spin and is an entertainer. if you are a fan of quick run scoring you will be thoroughly Treated if he settles down.
Devon Conway possesses brute power and can play a thumping cut short through the offside, with a smashing pull shot through square leg. He has played 32 T2O International matches, scored 1065 runs with the bat, with an average of 50.71 and a strike rate of 132.29 in his T20 International career so far. If Devon Conway gets going, he can capture the momentum of the game very quickly and prove to be a murder of spin bowling.
Kane Williamson is a beautiful touch player who plays gorgeous square cut square through the offside. He hits beautiful flick shot through the legside and uses his wrist to good effect to manoeuvre the ball into gaps. He has played 85 T2O International matches, scored 2357 runs with the bat, with an average of 32.73 and a strike rate of 123.46 in his T20 International career so far. He is no doubt a class player of spin bowling.
Possible 11: PAK
Mohammad Haris, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohommad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim , Haris Rauf, Muhammad Hasnain.
Possible 11: NZ
Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Kane Williamson, James Nessham, Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southner, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi.
TFG Fantasy Picks for PAK vs NZ