New Zealand is all set to lock horns with South Africa in the semi-final 1 of the T20 World Cup 2026. The match is scheduled to be played on March 4 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Ahead of the match, New Zealand`s captain, Mitchell Santner, heaped praise on the Proteas.
“South Africa look like a very good outfit, as they`ve shown and I guess they`re in the same boat as us. Now it`s one game in here until the final you know, and it`ll be the same for India and England (in the second semifinal at Wankhede on Thursday),” he said.
Further speaking, the captain said that he is aware of the “Black Caps” being labelled as the underdogs.
“We are kind of used to the tag now. It`s whether you want to call it the underdogs or not. I think for us, it`s everyone`s goal that throughout the tournament to get to the stage. We`re here now, and we back ourselves to adapt as quick as we can to what`s in front of us. I think at this stage, it`s just knockout game, and that`s it at the end of the day, and whoever really turns up is going to get through,” said Santner.
The New Zealand captain also stated that the aim would be to restrict the Proteas to 180 runs and also highlighted that their middle-order batting lineup consists of a lot of power.
“There`s no real hiding, or secrets about what South Africa are going to bring and they probably know what we do as well. So again, it`s all up to the surface and adapting as quick as we can. But you know it`s not just the top order. But their middle order packs a lot of power as well,” said the 34-year-old cricketer.
“So, to restrict them to 180 would be a good score instead of 220, but I guess we`ll wait and see. But, yeah they have all their bases covered. That`s why they`re undefeated in this tournament,” he added.
T20 World Cup 2026: New Zealand`s squad for the marquee event
James Neesham, Devon Conway (WK), Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Mitchell Santner (C), Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Seifert (WK), Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra.
(With PTI Inputs)
