Twenty 20, as the saying goes, is like cricket on cocaine. It is also a format where the difference between unevenly matched side reduces considerably. Thus, cricket fanatics would love to expect some rabbits to be pulled on Saturday when a resurgent New Zealand takes on battered Zimbabweans.
Zimbabwe does have some power-packed batsmen and certain potential; what they lack is the confidence to deliver the goods. Elton Chigumbura holds the key and if he really gets going along with help coming from Brendan Taylor and Stuart Matsyakaneri, Zimbabwe might send some shivers down kiwi spines.
In the bowling departnment, Zimbabwe has been dependent for a lng time on the spin duo of Ray Price and prosper Utseya. Matthew Waller, who has played some interesting innings in longer formats might also throw a hint of surprise.
On te other hand, New Zealand has the ability to put even prominent teams under the hammer at least in T20. They don’t make batsmen like Brendan McCullum these days. In form, he can match a Chris Gayle or Virender Sehwag. Martin Guptill is more than a handful and in Colin De Grandhomme, they have a seasoned spice, as the guy originally belongs to Harare shores.
In bowling, old veteran Jacob Oram is always consistent and Kylie Mills has picked up some pace and seam over the years. Tim Southee point-perfect in dead overs. No need to mention that New Zealand holds a decisive edge after trouncing zmbabwe in ODI matches. However, New Zealand will only take Zimbabwe at its peril, as there haveen causal upsets in the shortest format of cricket.
Both teams will also look to fine-tune their sides keeping the upcoming World Cup in mind. With the weather not posing an headache and pitch promising a welter-track, audience is at last assured of some commendable fireworks.
