Southee: ‘Pakistan are a dangerous side’

Tim Southee and his Black Cap team mates will have to overcome a Pakistan side which had the better of them in Christchurch recently.
Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz

Despite struggling to reach the knock phase of the T20 cricket world cup, the Black Caps aren’t underestimating their semi finals opponents Pakistan.

Pakistan were on the verge of elimination until the Netherlands pulled off a surprise win over South Africa, which meant Pakistan’s win over Bangladesh in their final pool game qualified them for the semis.

New Zealand and Pakistan have squared off in 28 T20 internationals all up – with the Black Caps winning only 11 of them.

The two sides recenly played three games in Christchurch with the tourists winning two out of three and pace bowler Tim Southee is aware they will need to be on their game.

“When you get to the top four every side has a chance,” said Southee.

“We’ve played a lot against Pakistan in recent times and we know they’re a dangerous side.

“Credit to them, they probably turned up thinking they didn’t have much of a chance but they put on another good performance and they’ll be a massive threat come the semi-final.”

A win over Pakistan in Sydney on Wednesday night would take New Zealand to a final against either England or India in Melbourne but Southee said the Black Caps, who lost to Australia in last year’s final, were taking it one game at a time.

“Semi-final cricket is exciting, it’s what you turn up for, to be here in these last couple of games. Hopefully we can continue the way that we’ve been playing and have another good performance in the semi.

“One of the consistencies of the side is the way we approach things is pretty much the same, no matter what game it is. That’s something to come back to and that’s something we’re very good at.”

-RNZ/Reuters