T20 World Cup 2022: New Zealand VS Pakistan-Will Mitchell Santner be the key for the Kiwis in spin-friendly Sydney?

It was an unexpected semi-final, mainly because most people had written off Pakistan’s chances of making it to the final four before South Africa’s epic implosion against the Netherlands. 

However, many people have now made Pakistan their favourite side to go the distance – mainly because their history shows that when they unexpectedly make it to the knockouts of an ICC tournament, they generally tend to go the distance. 

But New Zealand might have an ace up their sleeve in the form of Mitchell Santner, the clever left-arm orthodox bowler who’s so far taken eight wickets in the tournament. 

Mitchell Santner is a canny operator with the ball in hand, able to be economical or even take wickets depending on the demands of the situation. 

That’s been evident in the World Cup, as he’s taken wickets in every one of New Zealand’s group-stage matches. But he’s done so at an economical rate too. 

Mitchell Santner has benefitted from the perception that finger spinners are more accessible games than wrist spinners. He’s also done well due to his cricketing smarts and ability to read situations well. 

Indeed, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, New Zealand, have a spin duo that might be key to their chances of winning the semi-final. 

Ish Sodhi’s form can often be hit-and-miss, but he’s recently been more hit than miss. And on a pitch that offers some assistance, he will be needed to bowl a few overs. 

It also helps that both Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi are very different bowlers. Ish Sodhi is the typical modern-day T20I bowler – he bowls quickly through the air, has a couple of variations but will always look to get wickets. 

That might sometimes work against him, as an attacking bowler can mean going for runs if the wickets don’t come. But Ish Sodhi sticks to his brief of wanting to take wickets rather than being safe. 

Mitchell Santner, on the other hand, focuses more on consistently hitting the right lines and lengths. He doesn’t try too much to generate turns but possesses a couple of variations and tends to mix up his pace. 

And on a pitch that offers up some assistance, he can be lethal – which means that he will hold the key for the Kiwis in the semi-final. 

It’s worth noting that, as far as knockout games in ICC events go, New Zealand doesn’t have the best of records against Pakistan. 

However, they do tend to punch above their weight in recent times – and the inclusion of two genuine spin bowling options bolsters their chances of making the final signing.