New Zealand won three of their four group games, losing only to South Africa, and now face a Super 8 stage in which every side is strong. Their openers set the tone: Tim Seifert has 173 runs in four matches at a strike rate of about 168, and Finn Allen strikes at around 178. Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell offer balance in the middle, with James Neesham and Mitchell Santner adding late power.
The bowling has depth. Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry can take early wickets and return at the death, Lockie Ferguson is expected back after missing the last game, and Santner’s spin should be useful on a slow pitch. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi is an option.
Pakistan come in with momentum after three straight wins, their lone loss coming against India. Sahibzada Farhan scored 100 off 58 balls against Namibia, with Saim Ayub and Salman Agha also contributing at the top, and Usman Khan and Babar Azam steadying the middle. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz are the finishers.
Spin has been Pakistan’s main strength, and Abrar Ahmed, Nawaz, Shadab and the unorthodox Usman Tariq could prove a handful, particularly as New Zealand have not faced Tariq before. How each batting side handles spin may decide the contest.
