Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq identified problems with the New Zealand cricket team after the Black Caps lost to West Indies in their second match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Brian Lara Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing a target of 150 runs, New Zealand were restricted to 136-9 in 20 overs with Glenn Phillips top-scoring for them with 40 runs in 33 balls as all other batters failed to score runs.
Misbah stated that New Zealand will surely be disappointed with their performances in this tournament because their past performances were good. He talked about several issues in the team which have pushed them to the brink of exit from the T20 World Cup.
“It’s disappointing for New Zealand because of the way they have performed in previous World Cups, be it 50-over or T20, their case is what we can say that the team [is] lost. Especially a team that has two left-arm spinners playing, and you have top-class left-handed batters like [Rachin] Ravindra and [Devon] Conway but not being able to perform,” Misbah said while talking to a local channel.
He argued that Mitchell Santner not being able to complete his four-over quota is one of the reasons why New Zealand struggled greatly with the ball.
“And your main left-arm spinner [Mitchell Santner] is not able to compete his overs. Santner is a brilliant bowler and in conditions where their [West Indies] left-arm spinners bowled, they couldn’t make him bowl four overs,” he added.
“So, their overall team, as we say that when a team is out of track, they keep on getting further [from the track]. They could have bowled [West Indies] out for 120 at one stage but ended up conceding 150. Then your batting, they couldn’t build one partnership, [Glenn] Philips stood alone and had no support from the other hand.”
Remember, New Zealand’s chances of qualifying for the T20 World Cup’s Super 8 depend on Afghanistan’s next matches. If Rashid Khan’s men lose their remaining matches (Papua New Guinea and West Indies) while the Black Caps win their upcoming encounters with huge margins, they will stay in the game.
Nevertheless, if the Rashid Khan-led side manage to defeat PNG on Friday (June 14) or the match is hindered by rain, New Zealand will have no chance of qualifying for the Super 8.
