No tension around T20 WC opener against Pak: NZ Head Coach Stead

No tension around T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan: NZ Head Coach Stead

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06th Oct, 2021. 12:25 pm
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No tension around T20 Wolrd Cup opener against Pakistan: NZ Head Coach Stead

New Zealand (NZ) head coach Gary Stead said there is no tension around their T20 World Cup opening match against Pakistan after NZ recently abandoned the tour over security alert.

Pakistan’s hopes of regular international cricket were massively blown after NZ withdrew. England followed the Black Caps and called off the men’s and women’s tours.

New Zealand will face Pakistan in their opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on October 26 in Sharjah. Stead said that Kiwis are focused on that match.

“I’m not sure if there’s any more tension on it from our perspective,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“Obviously, what happened in Pakistan was sad for Pakistan cricket, their players and also our players, who missed out on that opportunity as well.

“We can’t change what has happened there. All we can do is prepare for the tournament and we face Pakistan first up.”

New Zealand are looking forward to claim the second title of the year after winning the Wolrd Test Championship in June by defeatind India in the final.

Stead said they would not set too many goals.

“I guess our first one is focusing on one game at a time, but the main goal is to get to that semi-finals stage and if you’re there, you’ll know that you’re only two wins away from a title,” Stead added.

“We’re in a tough pool, I genuinely think there are six to seven teams that could win this tournament and I guess that’s good for world cricket as well.”