SYDNEY: Bowler Tim Southee said New Zealand will not underestimate Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals despite the South Asian side’s struggles to make it through the group phase.

Pakistan looked set to exit the competition until the Netherlands pulled off a surprise 13-run win over South Africa on Sunday that meant victory over Bangladesh later in the day took Babar Azam and his team into the knockout rounds.

“When you get to the top four every side has a chance,” said Southee. “We’ve played a lot against Pakistan in recent times and we know they’re a dangerous side.

“Credit to them, they probably turned up thinking they didn’t have much of a chance but they put on another good performance and they’ll be a massive threat come the semi-final.”

A win over Pakistan in Sydney would take New Zealand to a final against either England or India in Melbourne but Southee said the Black Caps, who lost to Australia in last year’s final, were taking it one game at a time.

“There’s still a lot of cricket to be played until we get to that stage,” he said. “Pakistan are a quality side and we’re going to have to be on the top of our game to get past them on Wednesday.

“Semi-final cricket is exciting, it’s what you turn up for, to be here in these last couple of games. Hopefully we can continue the way that we’ve been playing and have another good performance in the semi.

“One of the consistencies of the side is the way we approach things is pretty much the same, no matter what game it is. That’s something to come back to and that’s something we’re very good at.”

‘GOOD REACTIVE TEAM’

Making it to the semi-finals despite final-ball losses against India and Zimbabwe in their opening two fixtures was nothing less than a miracle for Pakistan.

According to Pakistan’s team mentor Matthew Hayden, it was due to the squad’s “commitment and belief” that luck favoured them through Netherland’s upset over South Africa.

“We have got the energy there, we’ve got the commitment and belief to each other, then the magic just unfolds… and today was a magic day,” the Australian side while addressing the Pakistan players in the dressing room following their win against Bangladesh.

The left-hander, who won the 50-over World Cup twice with Australia, believed how Pakistan responded to a difficult start was what made them a special team.

“I think in T20 cricket, it’s one of those games that you can overplay, overtrain for and overthink,” said the former opener.

“And when I look at this side and I have seen this for a while now, I think we are such a good reactive team.”

In what was an inspiring locker room speech, Hayden was confident Pakistan will be a feared side going into the semis and noted that they give their best when the odds are stacked up against them.

“Boys, we are dangerous, just understand and appreciate that,,” Hayden said.

“The moment Pakistan cricket fires off with intent and starts to reveal its teeth, we become a real threat. There will be no one in this world and this competition that would want to face us right now. not one.

“They thought they got rid of us, but now they are not going to get rid of us.

“Boys moving into the next couple of days, clear your minds. Be free and be fresh for whichever game we play and just unleash again with just good, positive intent.”

Pakistan captain Babar Azam also praised the team’s belief after their place in the semi-final were confirmed. He was appreciative of how Pakistan finished their Super 12 campaign clinically.

“We had belief in ourselves and [the Netherland’s win] gave us hope,” he said while talking to his players.

“There was excitement, definitely, but we didn’t let it lose our focus. “We’ve to give our 100 per cent effort and like we did in the last two matches, we’ve to play as a team.”

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2022