Spinner Mitchell Santner said New Zealand will have to prepare for a “difficult wicket” to make it to the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals as the ‘Black Caps’ in their Super 12 match against Namibia in Sharjah on Friday.
New Zealand had lost to Pakistan in the first match, but bounced back with victories against India and Scotland, placing themselves in the hunt for the last four.
They are third in Group II, with Afghanistan at four points level and behind the leaders of Pakistan, who have advanced.
Namibia are second on two points, but Santner said New Zealand would not take them lightly.
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“In T20 cricket you know there’s going to be turmoil, so we have to be prepared. We have to look at it as just one more match, not looking too far,” Santner told reporters on Thursday.
“We have seen that the wicket can be difficult in Sharjah and it brings both the teams back in it.
“So, we have to be prepared for it and what will the pitch bring us tomorrow. (It) will be a one day game, which is again something new in Sharjah (for us).”
New Zealand suffered a five-wicket loss to Pakistan in Sharjah, while Namibia beat Ireland by eight wickets at the same venue.
Namibian all-rounder David Wiese said the playing surface in Sharjah suited the team’s bowling unit.
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Wiese said, “We know New Zealand are a tough opponent and they have world-class players. We are being seen as underdogs in the game, but we have played in Sharjah before and we have had little success.
“We think this is a wicket that can suit our kind of bowling…
“In T20 cricket, one guy can take the game away from the opposition, and if it’s your day, you can stand up and give that man-of-the-match performance.”
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