New Zealand took on Pakistan in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 on Wednesday (November 09) at SCG and opted to bat first on a dry pitch.
They could only manage to post 152/4 on the board in 20 overs, thanks to a discipline bowling effort from Pakistani bowlers led by Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Harbhajan Singh, the former India off-spinner, criticized the Kiwi batters' lack of commitment and pointed out that the pitch on Wednesday was similar to the one they used against Australia in their campaign opener, where they scored 200/3 in 20 overs.
"They should have scored more, this was a surface where they actually scored 200 against Australia. I think they left at least 15-20 on that surface. Yes, 150 was a decent total, considering the World Cup pressure," Harbhajan told Star Sports after Pakistan's win.
The Kiwis were reduced to 49/3 in the 8th over. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell put on a 68-run stand for the fourth wicket before the former was dismissed for 42-ball 46. Mitchell went on to score 53* off 35 balls.
SEE ALSO: “That's the frustrating part to me,” Kane Williamson gutted after semi-final loss to Pakistan
Harbhajan argued that Williamson and Mitchell batted too cautiously and didn’t take risks when they should have, adding that this cost them the game.
"They did not look to score. The intention was just to just take singles and doubles. They were not looking to hit boundaries. Yes, you had lost 3 wickets upfront. But it's T20 format, you have to take your chances. You can't wait for things to happen, you can't wait for them to happen. And that's where I think they lost the game," he added.
He further suggested that it was time that the BlackCaps looked beyond their skipper Williamson in T20Is. In 2020, the star batter was striking at more than 155 but that strike rate has decreased drastically in the last two years.
"Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, they were playing run-a-ball. It’s just not the way to play T20. I think it’s time that New Zealand need to think beyond Kane Williamson in this format. He is a top-class player but not in this format," Harbhajan remarked.
Meanwhile, Team India will take on England in the second semi-final of the tournament on Thursday (November 10) in Adelaide and the winner will face Pakistan in the summit clash.
(STAR SPORTS INPUTS)
