New Zealand vs Pakistan predictions: Momentum on the side of Kiwis
- New Zealand commanding force in Super 12 phase
- Devon Conway could again make an impact at SCG
- Recommended bet: Back Devon Conway to score 50+ runs
This year's Twenty20 World Cup is into the knockout stage with New Zealand set to take on Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the first semi-final on Wednesday.
The Kiwis sailed through Group One in the competition's Super 12 phase but things were less straightforward for Pakistan.
They were on the brink of crashing out of the tournament before South Africa stumbled to a shock defeat against the Netherlands and the Men in Green themselves kept their cool to defeat Bangladesh in their final group contest.
The winner of this semi-final will take on either India or England in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Team news
New Zealand have no new injury concerns ahead of the semi-finals.
Shaheen Afridi came into the T20 World Cup following a lengthy injury lay-off but has looked in good form recently for Pakistan, who will be hoping for more from star man Babar Azam.
The latest New Zealand vs Pakistan odds are available on LiveScore BetStats
New Zealand topped Group One with three wins from their five matches and no team had a higher net run rate than Kane Williamson's men in the Super 12 phase (+2.113).
Glenn Phillips has been New Zealand's top runscorer in the tournament with 195 runs recorded in four innings.
Pakistan will be hoping for more from crucial batsman Azam, who scored zero, four, four, six and 25 in his five Super 12 innings.
Ahead of this tournament, Pakistan faced New Zealand in a tri-series with Bangladesh and they got the better of the Kiwis in two of their three meetings.
Predictions
This semi-final clash looks pretty evenly poised but New Zealand were the better of these two sides in the Super 12 phase and look the most likely winners, which is a 4/5 shot on LiveScore Bet.
In one sense, Pakistan can approach the match as a bit of a free hit after looking as though they would miss out on a place in the semi-finals.
But it is also hard to go against New Zealand given how commanding they were in the Super 12 phase with wins in three of their four completed matches.
Even their defeat to England was more a result of the quality of their opponents than any deficiencies in the Kiwis camp, while it is also worth remembering what happened when New Zealand played at the SCG against Australia.
Williamson's side began the tournament on the front foot with an 89-run thrashing of the World Cup hosts in Sydney and will be pleased to return to the same venue against Pakistan.
Devon Conway was the star of the show in that win over Australia, blasting 92, and he was also going well in New Zealand's final Super 12 contest against Ireland, scoring 28.
He is often a man for the big occasion and looks the value pick at 5/2 to score 50+ runs via LiveScore Bet.
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