Wellington : New Zealand cricket team’s head coach Gary Stead has said that World Cup encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand would be of high intensity and “All eyes will be on Pakistan versus New Zealand world cup fixture”
The match is scheduled to be played on September 26, at Sharjah cricket stadium.
“Our T20 World Cup campaign kicks off with the Pakistan match,” Stead said in a statement. “Obviously, all eyes are on the Pakistan-New Zealand match.
Stead said that for the Kiwis, the clash against Pakistan is no different for them from other matches of the mega event. He spoke about New Zealand’s last-minute decision to pull out of Pakistan, saying that what transpired was “worrying and disappointing”.
“We are aware of the Pakistani cricket community and fans’ sentiments,” said Stead. “The decision was not in our hands.”
Stead said he was not with the Black Caps in Pakistan hence he did not know much about the decisions taken at the last minute, adding that he wouldn’t like to speak more on the matter.
“Sometimes, you aren’t always kept in the loop on every decision hence I wouldn’t like to talk more about it,” he said.
The Kiwi head coach said five players of the New Zealand world cup squad were already training in the UAE for the mega event, adding that nine players of the squad were playing in the IPL, which is also taking place in the UAE.
