NZ v PAK World T20 Review: Martin Guptill fires Kiwis into semifinals

A wonderfully compiled 80 off just 48 balls from the in-form Martin Guptill ensured that the Kiwis maintained their 100% record in the Group B stage with a 22 run win over Pakistan. Ironically, the Kiwi spin attack proved its mettle once again as they turned the tables back in favor of the Kiwis. Mohammad Sami’s bowling performance and Sharjeel Khan’s blitzkrieg in the initial part of the Pakistan innings were perhaps the only shining lights in a horrific Pakistan display. The win sees the Kiwis secure their semifinal berth in the World T20 2016.

Kane Williamson won the toss and decided that it’d be best to bat first. Apart from the in-form Martin Guptill, the Kiwis were batting on a batting paradise at Mohali. With the ball skidding onto the bat, the Kiwis felt at home on these wonderful batting conditions. Sure enough, Guptill went on the prowl, decimating the Pakistan bowling. He became perhaps the first batsman in a long time to put Mohammad Amir away with considerable ease. Despite his opening partner dismissed for 17 by Mohammad Irfan, Guptill continued on his merry way. The fall of Colin Munro did little to stop Guptill’s hurricane innings. Although the green-top had a fraction to do with Guptill’s performance, his whirlwind innings saw him, not for the first time, smash 80 off just 48 deliveries. His strike rate read 166.63 as he slammed 10 boundaries and 3 sixes. When he fell, the damage was evident as the scorecard read 127/3 in 14.3 overs. Corey Anderson’s 3 boundaries proved useful in the New Zealand cause.

However, Ross Taylor hogged the limelight despite the massive six from Luke Ronchi. Taylor, who has been struggling for form of late, underlined his big-hitting credentials as he smashed a few hits beyond the boundary, scoring an unbeaten 36. Taylor remained unbeaten as the New Zealand innings closed at 180/5 in 20 overs. Mohammad Sami, the 35-year old pacer showed that age is just a number by bowling at a fearsome pace. He led a brief fightback for Pakistan and ended with figures with 2/23 off his 4 overs. His bowling effort gave Pakistan a momentary chance in the match.

If the Kiwis were expecting to spin Pakistan into the same web they had spun the Indians into, they were in for a rude shock. Sharjeel Khan signaled his intent to chase down the mammoth 180 all by himself. A boundary off the first ball of the innings from Mitch Santner should tell you a story about the intent. He paired up with the slightly more experienced Ahmed Shehzad as they tore apart the Kiwi attack. Striking the ball with a vicious strike rate, Pakistan raced to 60 odd runs before the conclusion of the powerplay. Nine boundaries and a massive six was included in the 25 ball 47 from Sharjeel Khan. The latter eventually fell to Mitch Santner after slicing one towards Martin Guptill.

All of a sudden, the run-rate began to shoot up to unexpected levels. Even Ahmed Shehzad who had blasted his way right through the innings was finding it difficult to sustain the pressure. His wicket was imminent as Guptill claimed his second catch. It is also difficult to comprehend what happened to Umar Akmal. Having built his reputation as a big-hitting batsman, his striking prowess was nowhere it was supposed to be. His innings of 24 from 26 took him and the Pakistanis nowhere. Shahid Afridi tried to lead a revival with a couple of boundaries and a six. However, that proved to be futile as New Zealand kept the pressure on the Pakistani batsmen. Pakistan’s innings closed at 158/5 as they fell 22 runs short of the Kiwi target.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 180/4 in 20 overs (Guptill 80; Sami 2/23)

Pakistan 158/5 in 20 overs (Sharjeel 47; Milne 2/26)

Man of the match: Martin Guptill (New Zealand)