Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan on Tuesday lauded the fighting spirit of New Zealand in the tough match against Pakistan. 43-year-old Zaheer Khan, after watching New Zealand's game, has asked the Indian team to be careful of the challenge of New Zealand (India vs New Zealand) in the T20 World Cup 2021. India and New Zealand will face each other on 31 October. The Kiwi team lost their first match of the T20 World Cup 2021 against Pakistan by five wickets on Tuesday (October 26). Pakistan's lethal bowling unit restricted the Blackcaps to 134/8 in the first innings.
However, the Kiwi team's excellent bowling and fielding effort did not make the match easy for Babar Azam's team. New Zealand bowlers did not allow the Pakistani team to score runs easily. During a conversation on Cricbuzz, Zaheer Khan praised the New Zealand team captained by Kane Williamson. Zaheer Khan praised the effort of Kane Williamson's team, which never lost their hopes throughout the match. He wants to win every match.
'New Zealand wants to win every match and there is tremendous enthusiasm in it'
Zaheer Khan said, "One thing is certain that New Zealand wants to win every match and it has amazing enthusiasm. Yes, his result against Pakistan was not as expected but the fight he showed was brilliant, he didn't score many runs in the first innings but the effort he put in bowling and fielding shows that he never gave his hope lost. And India should be wary of it."
Before defeating New Zealand in India and New Zealand for a place in the semi-finals, Pakistan had defeated arch-rivals India on 24 October. This was the first time in T20 International that Pakistan won a game with 10 wickets in hand. After Pakistan's second win in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021, he has cemented his place in the semi-finals of the competition. There will be only two teams to qualify from a group. One place has been confirmed by Pakistan. The main battle for second place will be between India and New Zealand.
Zaheer Khan spoke about the importance of winning momentum especially in big tournaments like the World Cup. Zaheer Khan said that despite their poor start if India plays to their potential, it will not be easy for any other T20 World Cup team to stand against them.
The next match for India and New Zealand is 'do or die',
He further said, "We all know that if India plays to its potential, then it will not be easy for any team to stand against them. It is always important for any team to get the winning streak at the earliest, especially in the World Cup. This time India has lost its first match and they should make sure it is not too late. The next match against New Zealand is 'do or die'. The India vs New Zealand match, which could potentially be a 'virtual quarter final', will be played at the Dubai International Stadium on October 31.
