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'Can't Rely On Other Teams' - Williamson Calls For NZ To Raise Their Game

image-lol64bbdNZ lost against PAK [AP Photo]

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson wore a disappointed look on his face after his team stretched its painstaking losing streak to four matches at the ICC World Cup 2023. The BlackCaps suffered a hammering in a rain-marred fixture at the hands of Pakistan after failing to surpass India, Australia and South Africa.

After beginning the tournament in grand fashion by consolidating the numero uno spot with victories over England, Netherlands, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, the Kiwis have been humiliated by stiffer oppositions and now require a big victory in their last game versus Sri Lanka to secure a semifinal berth. 

One couldn't have imagined this scenario even halfway through their must-win clash versus Pakistan in Bangalore on Saturday (November 4) when Williamson's men stormed past the 400-run mark and asked Pakistan to overhaul their imposing 401/6 for a much-needed victory.

However, persistent rains and an explosive knock of 126 off 81 deliveries from Pakistan's swashbuckling opener Fakhar Zaman meant the Asian giants were 21 runs ahead on DLS count at the point of the final interruption in the 26th over of an innings that exposed BlackCaps' bowling problems.

Williamson Urges BlackCaps To Overcome Losing Streak 

Calling on his troops to overcome a potentially fatal losing streak, captain Williamson said the key is to identify the chinks and resolve all issues ahead of the encounter against the Lankan Lions in Bangalore on Thursday (November 9). 

A victory would still help Kiwis make amends for their horrific results in the past two weeks and give them the fourth spot with a better NRR than Pakistan, who now have to back their spirited run-chase and victory over the Kiwis with a handsome win over England on November 11. 

"Yeah, I mean, I think the approach will be very similar,"  Williamson said at the post-match press conference when asked if his team's approach would change amidst greater pressure felt of the knock-outs race. 

"We can't rely on other teams obviously as you get down to some small, small margins of whether it's run rate or your last match. You know, anything can happen really, but our focus is very much still on the cricket that we want to keep playing and adjusting to what's in front of us." 

"And we've done that in really positive ways and also being challenged at certain times which you fully expect in these sorts of competitions. So, we can't control what other people are doing, but we can really focus on our next game and preparing well for that," he added.