THE FLIGHT OF THE KIWIS

This edition of the T20 World Cup has sprung a few surprises right from the start. Most notable being the resurgence of New Zealand as a strong contender to clinch the coveted title. Three wins out of three, as I pen this column; and going strong.

New Zealand has always been the dark horse in most world cups, in both the formats. Jog back your memory to 1992 world cup, when this tiny island nation was on a roll. They beat their archrivals Australia in the opener, and followed up with wins against the other top teams. Thus, surprising even their harshest of critics, making them believe, that they could make one day cricket’s most prestigious title as their own. Until a young talent by the name Inzamam Ul-Haq suddenly brought that New Zealand’s team juggernaut to a grinding halt.

Post the 1992 edition, New Zealand have toppled big names in world cups, but have never ended up lifting the trophy. The closest they came was during the 2015 world cup, when they lost the final to their Trans-Tasman neighbor. For once, one thought, they would give the then four time champions a run for their money. But what unfolded at the MCG was more of an anti-climax, after a brilliant performance against South Africa in the semis.

This T20 world cup isn’t any different. New Zealand is off to a flying start. Having beaten India, Australia and Pakistan until now, they seem to have just the right ammunition to win their first T20 world cup.

Guptill, Santner, Sodhi, Milne and McClenaghan seemed to have rediscovered themselves. Unleashing a hidden talent that has proved too much for the opposition. 

Guptill’s 48-ball 80 against Pakistan, proved to be the catalyst in helping his team book their berth in the semi-final line-up. Pakistan came in to the match knowing that their hopes of staying alive in the tournament hinged on a win against New Zealand, but Guptill seized the early initiative, after his captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat on pitch that favoured stroke-play.         

His onslaught left a strong Pakistan new-ball attack without answers. Guptill had hit four fours and three sixes in six overs and helped his side race to 50 at over nine runs an over. He scored 32 of his runs straight between long-off and long-on, including two of his 10 fours and all three of his sixes. Until Mohammad Sami finally got him in the 15^th over, but by then the damage was already done.

Pakistan started on a good note, with their opener Sharjeel Khan in imperious form. He bludgeoned Santner, the same bowler who had destroyed India, and who at one stage had 2 for 4 against Australia. That guy was opening the bowling and was at the receiving end.

Five bowlers bowled before Santner came back to bowl his next spell. Only Ish Sodhi seemed to have troubled the Pakistanis, who only conceded 3 runs in his first over. But Sodhi alone wasn’t enough to stop Pakistan.

Between Santner and Sodhi, despite Santner's 15 over opening gaffe, they took 3 for 54 in 8 overs. Conceding three boundaries outside the powerplay. Boundaries became like diamonds, or in Afridi's case, possessed a sense that they wouldn't last. Pakistan's innings was stopped, and it never started again.

The pitch didn't spin, Pakistan were well set, and Sodhi and Santner, the most unlikely of spin twins, took New Zealand to 3-0, a semifinal, and probably at least equal favouritism in this tournament.

The worrying thing for the other teams was that New Zealand never really played that well. They are capable of much more, it was the first time their batsmen made runs, and even then, they could have scored far more. And almost all their bowlers came back strong once the spinners had got going.

The way things are going for New Zealand, one could safely assume the Kiwis are ready to fly away with the T20 title.