Expert Blog

Leaving the Powerplay too late

Overall, New Zealand played better in the crucial overs and tactically used their Powerplay more effectively. That’s where they won the game.

The second semi-final of the Champions Trophy was all about one side stepping up their game during the big moments while the other fizzled out. The match was competitive for the most part, but the difference came in the final few overs of each innings. Daniel Vettori played a central role in both these stages and was an easy choice for Man of the Match. Let’s take a look at what happened in these crucial stretches of the game.

Runs scored in each over in the final stage of each innings:


Pakistan Innings: The Late Collapse

Umar Akmal and Mohammad Yousuf had done a great job getting their side back on track, recovering from 86 for 4 to 166 for 4 with eleven overs and change to spare. That’s when things started to go wrong – 5 wickets fell in a hurry and a 250-target was out of question. Yes, Pakistan were unlucky to lose Akmal to a bad decision, but they should have made more of the final few overs even after that.  Pakistan should have taken the Powerplay earlier – they missed the opportunity of having two set batsmen go after the bowling. Here’s the logic for not waiting till later – Powerplay or not, Pakistan would have thrown their bat at anything in the last five overs, so they should  have taken the Powerplay before the 45th over and built momentum earlier.

Credit to Vettori and Butler, their spell between overs 41 and 46 stifled the flow of runs and that turned the game in New Zealand’s favour.

New Zealand Innings: The Clinical Finish

At the 40-over mark, New Zealand were 168 for 4, comparable to Pakistan who were 174 for 5 at the same stage. Both teams had their Powerplay remaining. The difference is that New Zealand took it earlier and their batsmen actually made the most of those five overs, scoring 55 runs and taking their side to victory. Vettori played a big role again, with a near-run-a-ball innings of 41, while Grant Elliot hit out in the Powerplays and finished with a well compiled 75*.

Overall, New Zealand played better in the crucial overs and tactically used their Powerplay more effectively. That’s where they won the game and that’s what the Castrol Index worm  tells you – the sides were neck and neck for the most part but New Zealand pulled away in the important stages. That’s why there are in the finals. And they’ll be hoping for an encore against the Aussies.