An unfit Kiwi side will be clashing against a confident yet unpredictable Pakistan side at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Younis Khan’s side are the only one in the competition to never have even qualified for a shot at the title and the Pakistan captain is keen to set the record straight.
Kiwis received another blow with news that the all-rounder Grant Elliott could miss the game with a side strain. Three frontline members of the team are already back home, and this latest development came as another jolt to the 2000 champions. However, expect no let up from the NZ side who are known to fight till the very last moment.
Pakistan will be happy with the return of Mohammad Asif after the ban and with the lanky pacer getting the bowl to talk the way he did in the last match against Australia, it will be a big ask from the Kiwi batsmen to find answers against the pacer.
New Zealand will be banking on a strong start from Brendon McCullum and that KKR opener will be asked to stay at the wicket than play rash shots like he did in their last match against England. Pakistan have no such problems at the top as Afridi and Akmal will be looking to open the batting and score some brisk runs so that
Two relatively similar sides, and both with a lot to play for going by what their captains have said, it should make for an absorbing tussle. Vettori’s presence down the order is of immense reassurance particularly after the departures of Jesse Ryder and Jacob Oram.
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