Pakistan vs New Zealand: After beating arch-rivals India comfortable in their T20 WC opener, Pakistan will today lock horns with New Zealand in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup-2021. The confidence of Pakistan cricket team is high after defeating Team India by 10 wickets.
India, on the other hand, will play their next T20 WC match against New Zealand on October 31. Today the match between Pakistan and New Zealand will be important not only for these two teams but also for India.
Former India opener Akash Chopra believes that if Pakistan wins today's match, then it will benefit Team India.
“I feel Pakistan will help India if they defeat New Zealand. But if it happens the other way round, New Zealand beats Pakistan. It can be a three-way tie, the net run rate story can come if India beats New Zealand and assuming the three teams win their remaining matches.”
“If Pakistan beat New Zealand, then only Afghanistan will be there in between and two teams who have come from the qualifiers – Scotland and Namibia. Then Pakistan through, make your place in the semi-finals and enjoy,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
If high-on-confidence Pakistan beats New Zealand tonight, they will almost secure a semifinals spot as the their future games in the tournament will be relatively easier.
“Pakistan is the team on song. They are playing like that, the top three were anyway playing well, and these conditions are going to suit Hafeez and Shoaib Malik a lot. They are bowling well. The team is looking formidable.”
“It is slightly a grudge match because Pakistan felt very humiliated when New Zealand went there and returned without giving any reason. So, I feel Pakistan may have a point to prove,” Chopra added.