Pakistan v New Zealand T20 World Cup predictions & cricket betting tips

Free cricket tips, best bets & analysis for New Zealand v Pakistan in Wednesdays T20 World Cup semi-final.

Where to watch

New Zealand v Pakistan
Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 8am Wednesday

Best bets

Trent Boult over 20.5 performance points
3pts 5-6 bet365

Iftikhar Ahmed top Pakistan runscorer
1pt 10-1 bet365, Hills

Preview

Pakistan received a T20 World Cup lifeline on Sunday when the Netherlands caused a 10-1 upset against South Africa, allowing Babar Azam's men to book their semi-final place with a commanding win over Bangladesh.

That final-day drama in Group 2 was very much in keeping with Pakistan's campaign as they had lost thrilling encounters with India and Zimbabwe before an impressive win over South Africa in Sydney.

Pakistan return to the SCG for Wednesday morning's semi-final against New Zealand, runners-up at the last two 50-over World Cups as well as last year's T20 tournament in the UAE and narrow favourites to reach yet another final.

The Black Caps have also enjoyed their visits to Sydney at this World Cup, thumping hosts and defending champions Australia by 89 runs in their opening Group 1 fixture before a 65-run rout of Sri Lanka.

Early wickets were a feature of New Zealand's games at the SCG – they were 15-3 against Sri Lanka, whose top order then collapsed to 24-5 in the run-chase – and Pakistan had to recover from 43-4 to post a matchwinning score of 185-9 against South Africa in Sydney.

Trent Boult went wicketless in the Kiwis' last two group matches against England and Ireland but he claimed 2-24 against Australia and 4-13 against the Lankans at the SCG and should relish a crack at under-pressure Pakistan openers Babar and Mohammad Rizwan.

Boult has also taken a catch, worth ten points on bet365's performance market, in four of his last six T20 internationals and he can eclipse a mark of 20.5.

If the left-armer and Tim Southee, who took 3-6 off 2.1 overs against the Aussies, are on the money again then Pakistan will need their middle-order batsmen to stand up as they did against South Africa.

Number seven Shadab Khan cracked 52 from 22 balls to deflate the Proteas but Iftikhar Ahmed also played a crucial innings, making 51 from 35 rocks.

He has been Pakistan's man for the big occasion at this tournament, scoring 51 off 34 in the opening game against India, and he made 27 and 25 not out against New Zealand during last month's T20 tri-series in Christchurch.

Iftikhar showed his liking for Australian pitches early in his T20 international career, scoring 62 not out and 45 against the Aussies in November 2019, and he looks a big price to top-score in the first semi-final.

England are evens to beat 4-5 shots India in Thursday's second semi at the Adelaide Oval. Dawid Malan is likely to miss out due to a groin strain so reserve batsman Phil Salt could come into the 11.

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