T20 World Cup: Pakistan looks to exact revenge from New Zeland for pulling out of home series

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Despite hullaballoo surrounding Sunday’s match against India, Green Shirts are looking for exacting revenge from New Zealand for pulling out of Pakistan tour just minutes before the match in Rawalpindi last month.

Babar Azam-led team would take on New Zealand on Tuesday. After Kiwis dished out humiliation to Pakistan last month, there have been calls not to play against Kiwis. However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected the advice and decided to play against Kiwis like any other team.

In fact, a video of Babar’s pep talk to teammates asking them to prepare for a big haul went viral. Babar met the teammates in the dressing room and asked them not to be complacent and work harder for forthcoming matches.

He told the team members that their goal should be to win the world cup rather than be complacent about one victory. “We have not just come here to win against India. We have come here to win the World Cup. Remember that. Celebrate but keep the goal in mind,” Babar said as teammates listened carefully.

Tuesday’s game is being perceived by Pakistan’s cricket community as an opportunity for the team to exact revenge for the damage that New Zealand caused by going back without playing. Pakistan has got a morale booster after the victory against India.

Babar side also looks good. With Shaheen Afridi in form, the batting prowess of Babar, Rizaan, and experienced Hafiz will be difficult to handle for Kiwis. The match will be telecast live at 7.30 pm New Zealand has not had the best of build-ups to their campaign, having lost to Australia and England in the warm-ups. One of their main concerns is the fitness of skipper Kane Williamson, who is battling with elbow pain for a while now.

Head coach Gary Stead said the injury had flared up a bit in the game against Australia. Williamson did not bat against England. Black Caps have a world-class bowling attack but their batters need to step up. Despite the many concerns, they have a consistent record in ICC events and one can’t rule them out for a place in the final four.

New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.

Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammed Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammed Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Hasan Ali, Harris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohamed Nawaz, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammed Wasim, Sohaib Maqsood.

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