Champions Trophy is nearing its climax with the second semi-final which will decide the other finalist. After Australia beat England in the first semi-final and made it to the finals with 8 wicket victory, today Pakistan take on New Zealand. Both the teamshave shown some impressive performances in the Champions Trophy and it will be a tough game to prove their consistency.
Pakistan is under pressure to re-establish their presence as a major force internationally. If they make it in Champions Trophy, it will be a follow-up win to the World T20 title.
Pakistan could face the problem with the unpredictable pitch at the Wanderers which has helped the Kiwis for two wins here. The spinners Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal have outshined others in the event. Even Shoaib Malik looks to have proven that he is no more sluggish.
Meanwhile, New Zealand are proceeding with several injuries. Scott Styris has flown in as a cover for Grant Elliott, who has a thumb injury. Jacob Oram with hamstring injury, Jesse Ryder with groin and Daryl Tuffey with broken hand; New Zealand will have a tough time to replace.
Teams:
New Zealand: BB McCullum, AJ Redmond, MJ Guptill, LRPL Taylor, GD Elliott, NT Broom, JEC Franklin, DL Vettori, KD Mills, IG Butler, SE Bond
Pakistan: Kamran Akmal, Imran Nazir, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal
Champions Trophy is nearing its climax with the second semi-final which will decide the other finalist. After Australia beat England in the first semi-final and made it to the finals with 9 wicket victory, today Pakistan take on New Zealand. Both the teamshave shown some impressive performances in the Champions Trophy and it will be a tough game to prove their consistency.
Pakistan is under pressure to re-establish their presence as a major force internationally. If they make it in Champions Trophy, it will be a follow-up win to the World T20 title.
Pakistan could face the problem with the unpredictable pitch at the Wanderers which has helped the Kiwis for two wins here. The spinners Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal have outshined others in the event. Even Shoaib Malik looks to have proven that he is no more sluggish.
Meanwhile, New Zealand are proceeding with several injuries. Scott Styris has flown in as a cover for Grant Elliott, who has a thumb injury. Jacob Oram with hamstring injury, Jesse Ryder with groin and Daryl Tuffey with broken hand; New Zealand will have a tough time to replace.
Teams:
New Zealand: BB McCullum, AJ Redmond, MJ Guptill, LRPL Taylor, GD Elliott, NT Broom, JEC Franklin, DL Vettori, KD Mills, IG Butler, SE Bond
Pakistan: Kamran Akmal, Imran Nazir, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal
Tags: Daniel Vettori, ICC Champions Trophy 2009, New Zealand vs Pakistan, Younis Khan
