Kane Williamson on Prospect of IND vs NZ ODI WC 2023 S/F at Wankhede in Mumbai
Bengaluru: After the five-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Thursday, New Zealand have almost secured themselves a spot in the ODI World Cup 2023 semi-final. Pakistan now need a massive win over England to go through, which looks unlikely. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson spoke about the prospect of playing the home side in the semi-final after the win last night. Claiming that he is looking forward to the game, Williamson said it will be ‘challenging.’
“Playing semis is special but playing the home team will be challenging. Looking forward to it if we are fortunate enough to have it,” Williamson said after New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 5 wickets.
“There’s a few teams that could end up on similar points. (That is) not in our control. We will be having a couple of days off, not sure what’s happening,” he added.
Earlier, Trent Boult’s rediscovery of his magic with new ball fuelled NZ’s frantic five-wicket victory.
Daryl Mitchell (43 off 31 balls) milked the sound platform given by openers Devon Conway (45 off 42 balls) and Rachin Ravindra (42 off 34 balls) with their 86-run stand as the Kiwis hunted down the target of 172 in 23.2 overs.
The result helped them to snap a four-match losing streak in the event, and it was also the perfect culmination of the demolition job started by Boult with his outstanding three-wicket burst (3/37).
New Zealand (NRR: +0.743) have 10 points after their league engagements and they will in all likelihood join India, Australia and South Africa in the last four stage, unless Pakistan or Afghanistan, who are on eight points apiece, create some miracle.
In their final league match, Pakistan (NRR: +0.036) will face England on Saturday while Afghanistan (NRR: -0.338) will lock horns with South Africa.