New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson, has emphasized the importance of maintaining their cricket focus as they prepare to face Sri Lanka in a pivotal match. The Kiwis are determined to prevent their ICC World Cup 2023 dreams from being derailed by adverse weather conditions, following a recent rain-affected loss to Pakistan.
Last weekend, New Zealand suffered a rain-disrupted defeat at the Bengaluru venue against Pakistan, despite posting a formidable total of 401 runs. Pakistan secured a 21-run victory through the DLS method, scoring 200-1 in 25.3 overs, and edging ahead on the required run rate when the game was halted due to the weather.
This loss marked the Kiwis’ fourth consecutive setback in the ICC World Cup 2023, following a promising start with four consecutive wins. New Zealand, the runners-up in the previous two World Cup editions, currently hold the fourth position in the tournament standings and must secure a victory in their upcoming clash with Sri Lanka to enhance their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
READ MORE: Pakistan’s Path to Semi Finals Depends on Sri Lanka’s Upcoming Clash with New Zealand
The possibility of a washout could open the door for either Pakistan or Afghanistan to surpass them and secure the remaining spot in the semi-final. However, Captain Williamson remains pragmatic, stating, “There are many things that we can’t control, and the weather is one of them. While it might be a concern in the back of our minds, our primary focus is on the style of cricket we wish to play and channeling all our energy into that.”
As of now, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Pakistan have the same number of points in the tournament standings, with India, South Africa, and Australia already securing their places in the semi-finals. New Zealand faces a crucial test as they seek to overcome the rain threat and continue their pursuit of the ICC World Cup 2023 title.
