T20 World Cup 2022: New Zealand won't underestimate Pakistan: Tim Southee

New Zealand side [Source: Associated Press]

In the first semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, New Zealand will take on Pakistan on Wednesday in Sydney. While the Black Caps finished on top of Group 1, Pakistan qualified from Group 2 in the second position after South Africa lost their must-win tie against the Netherlands.

Despite the former T20 World Cup champion Pakistan's mixed run in the tournament, thus far, New Zealand paceman Tim Southee is not taking the Babar Azam-led side lightly.

Interestingly, Pakistan beat New Zealand in the final of the T20I tri-nation series ahead of the global event.

According to Reuters, Southee claimed that his team is not looking too far ahead and focusing on their upcoming knockout match.

"We’ve played a lot against Pakistan in recent times and we know they’re a dangerous side. Credit to them, they probably turned up thinking they didn’t have much of a chance but they put on another good performance and they’ll be a massive threat come the semi-final. 

Pakistan are a quality side and we’re going to have to be on the top of our game to get past them on Wednesday. ”

The last time these two sides met in a T20 World Cup was in 2021 when Pakistan prevailed over the Kiwis by five wickets.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022, What to expect from the semi-finalists - New Zealand