And then there were four! The T20 Cricket World Cup reaches its climax over the coming days with two massive semi-finals followed by the final on Sunday night. We are taking a look at the first final between New Zealand and Pakistan in this preview, set to take place on Wednesday night with a spot in the big dance on the line!
Check out our full preview and betting tips for the clash below and remember to head to our Cricket Tips page for updates on the other finals as well as regular previews throughout the Australian summer of cricket.
T20 World Cup 1st Semi Final Betting Tips
New Zealand vs Pakistan
SCG, Wednesday 9th November, 7.00pm
New Zealand
The Kiwis will enter this match as favourites on the back of a strong T20 World Cup campaign so far. They upset the Aussies in the opening game of the event before dropping just one match to England throughout the group stage. Their line-up has been fairly settled throughout the tournament and given they have been playing two spinners throughout, I expect them to stick with that at the spin-friendly SCG.
New Zealand Likely XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, Darryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santer, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
New Zealand are incredibly strong in all phases of T20 cricket but I think their most important facet is the 4-6 in the line-up. Phillips, Mitchell and Neesham are all capable of winning a T20 off their own bat, and if the top 3 can get through those middle overs and give these guys a launching point, the Kiwis are regularly in the mix to score 185+. The key for New Zealand is making sure these guys, particularly Mitchell and Neesham, aren’t seeing any balls in the first 10 overs.
Pakistan
Pakistan miraculously made their way into the knockouts after a final day collapse from South Africa which opened up a spot in Group 2. Pakistan capitalised with a win over Bangladesh on Sunday to claim the final spot and book a semi-final berth. I expect them to stay with the same line-up that was successful in that game.
Pakistan Likely XI: Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi
There’s no doubt that the Pakistani selectors would have loved this semi to be scheduled in Perth rather than Sydney to favour their three-pronged pace attack. However, that won’t stop them from rolling with the the contingent, which has been arguably the most dominant in T20 international cricket for the past year. The key for Pakistan will be these three pacemen picking up wickets in the power-play. If they can grab two or three in the first 6 overs, they will win this game.
Betting Tips
I had some slight reservations over the Kiwis and particularly the form of skipper Kane Williamson, however, he put those worries to bed in the last game, blasting 61 off just 35 balls in the win over Ireland. I think he plays an important role setting up a base for the big hitters to come later and his return of form has me leaning towards the Kiwis in this semi. Williamson is arguably the best manipulator of pace bowling in the world at the moment, so I trust him more than anyone to navigate his way through through the powerplay (if he’s needed).
Kane Williamson 25+ Riuns ($1.80 at Ladbrokes)
Finn Allen 1+ Six ($1.71 at Sportsbet)
