Pakistan faces New Zealand in T20 World Cup match in Sharjah today

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and Pakistan’s Shadab Khan (R) shake hands after the second T20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Seddon Park in Hamilton on December 20, 2020. (AFP/ FILE)

• Pakistanis left fuming last month when Black Caps abandoned tour minutes before start of first one-day international in Rawalpindi
• Pakistan ranks third on ICC Men’s T20 team rankings and New Zealand fourth, Pakistan has won 14 and lost 10 T20 contests between the sides

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and New Zealand will meet today, Tuesday, in a closely watched Twenty20 World Cup match in Sharjah just weeks after the Black Caps abandoned a tour minutes before the start of the first one-day international in Rawalpindi, citing an unspecified security alert.
New Zealand will be kickstarting their World Cup campaign today against the green shirts, who began their journey with a record-breaking win against India on Sunday.
On the eve of the match, NZ captain Kane Williamson, not part of the squad in Pakistan that pulled out of the tour as he was playing in the Indian Premier League in the UAE, played down talk of a “grudge match.”
“There are a lot of good relations within the two teams. Over the years they’ve played a lot against each other, and a number of players have played with each other, as well,” Williamson told reporters. “I am sure the game will be played in the right spirit.”
Pakistan ranks third on the ICC Men’s T20 team rankings while New Zealand is in fourth position. Pakistan holds a historical edge over the blackcaps in the T20 format, having won 14 and lost 10 contests between the sides. The last series between the two countries, held in December 2020, was won by New Zealand.
A week after New Zealand pulled out, England also withdrew their men’s and women’s teams from a tour to Pakistan due to concerns over the physical and mental health of the players.
“We had one team in our [T20 World Cup] target, our neighbors [India], now add two more teams, New Zealand and England,” Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ramiz Raja said last month.
Williamson, who admitted the decision to abandon the tour was based on New Zealand government advice, praised the Pakistan team.
“I suppose the focus now is here at the T20 World Cup, and no doubt after the performance last night, Pakistan have some momentum and are feeling pretty good about their cricket,” said Williamson.
Pakistan thumped arch-rivals India by 10 wickets in the teams’ opening Super 12 match in Dubai on Sunday.
“Yeah, I mean, it was a fantastic performance. I think Pakistan have come to the T20 World Cup full of confidence, having played in these conditions more than most,” he said. “They certainly put it on show last night and showed why they’re one of the favorites in the competition.”
“Tomorrow I’m sure they’ll be very strong again, so for us, it’s focusing on the cricket that we want to play and trying to adjust to conditions.”