CWC 2023: Injury-battered New Zealand eye turnaround

Pakistan are in an even dingier space with six points from seven matches, and they need to win mandatorily against New Zealand and England

Bengaluru: An injury-tormented New Zealand, further weakened by the exit of Matt Henry, seek resurgence while Pakistan need a continuation of their recent resurrection, and that subtext of desperation could turn their crucial World Cup match into a classic here on Saturday.

The fortunes of New Zealand and Pakistan went through sharp curves after a bright beginning, leaving them in a tight spot in the race to the semifinals of the quadrennial big bash. The Kiwis started the tournament with four wins on the bounce, and it looked a matter of time before they sealed a last four berth.

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Since that point, they have fallen to three defeats in a row against India, Australia and South Africa, and are now stranded at eight points from seven matches. On the other side, Pakistan are in an even dingier space with six points from seven matches, and they need to win mandatorily against New Zealand and England.

Apart from the dwindling on-field returns, New Zealand will also have to deal with a tall obstacle ahead of their clash with Pakistan – a growing injury list that has five names in it already. Henry, who had taken 11 wickets from seven matches, hurt his right hamstring against South Africa and the pacer has now been ruled out of the match against Pakistan, forcing the Kiwis to replace him with strapping fast bowler Kyle Jamieson.

James Neesham had suffered a hit on his wrist in the match against the Proteas and the Kiwis will keep a close eye on his recovery. Other than the duo, Kane Williamson (thumb) and Mark Chapman (calf) are also in various stages of their recuperation process. However, both Williamson and Neesham participated actively in the nets on this day here, giving a small indication of their readiness to take the field if it comes to that.

They will also have a crumb of comfort in the knowledge that pacer Lockie Ferguson has recovered sufficiently from his right Achilles niggle to play against Pakistan. But that is just a part of the consolation as the New Zealand bowlers will have to regain their sense of target against Pakistan, something they terribly missed against Australia and South Africa while conceding 388 and 357 respectively.

It will not be easy for them though at the M Chinnaswamy stadium, an unforgiving cauldron to the bowlers with its true pitch and short, quick outfield. The core of their bowling unit consisting left-arm pacer Trent Boult and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, Kiwis’ highest wicket-taker here with 14 scalps, will have to be at their thriftiest against Pakistan, who have the ability to hurt the opponents.

However, New Zealand might not have forgotten their shabby batting against South Africa when they were bundled out for 160, and they will want to treat it as an aberration, producing an impact effort against Pakistan. Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips will have to shoulder the bulk of the scoring against Pakistan.

Babar Azam’s form has been an elephant in the room as the captain is still searching for that daddy hundred despite making three fifties. Perhaps, a stuttering New Zealand will offer him a chance to wipe that blemish.

Till that actually happens, Pakistan have to pin their hopes on Mohammad Rizwan and opener Abdullah Shafique to have a productive outing against the Black Caps. With over 300 runs in their kitties, Rizwan and Shafique have been their most bankable batters in this event.