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 15th 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.
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