Watch Pakistan Vs New Zealand 2nd Semi Final ICC Champions Trophy live

Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 4:01 pm

JOHANNESBURG : Watch Pakistan Vs New Zealand 2nd Semi Final ICC Champions Trophy live Watch Live Cricket Match Pakistan have edge over New Zealand in the second semi-final of ICC Champions Trophy to be played here on Saturday.

Pakistan and New Zealand faced each other in 61 ODIs, of which the green shirts have triumph in 37 while the Kiwis have won only 22 matches. One ODI match between the two teams was tied while other was ended without any result.

It may be noted here that only two matches had been played in South African pitches, in which Pakistan had defeated the Kiwis.

Most of the matches played at the home grounds of New Zealand, the Kiwis have won, while Pakistan have defeated it in neutral grounds as well as in Pakistan.

On paper Pakistan are favourites and over the years they have used New Zealand as a stepping-stone in big tournaments. In 1992, New Zealand’s first defeat in the World Cup opened doors for Pakistan’s progress to the semi-final, where they were beaten by the same opposition.

The semi-final in the 1999 World Cup was a repeat. In the World Twenty20 in 2009, it was against New Zealand that Pakistan discovered momentum, and never lost it.

New Zealand supporters, though, would want to look back at the semi-final of the Champions Trophy in 2000, when they beat Pakistan, and went on to win the final too.

Unlike their famous triumphs, the 1992 World Cup and the World Twenty20 earlier this year, Pakistan have looked solid from the off in South Africa. They have looked more like the Pakistan of the 1999 World Cup.

Pakistani bowling attack has appeared the most settled, the most varied, and the most skilful of the lot in this tournament. Their batting is the weak link – it has fluctuated from very good, against India, to circumspect, against Australia and West Indies.

If Pakistan lose the toss and are put in at the Wanderers, that passage of play will be New Zealand’s best chance of making this a close contest.

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