The Proteas are on a seven-match winning streak in the 2026 T20 World Cup. On the other hand, the Kiwis have lost just one match in the competition, while one was abandoned due to rain. Mitchell Santner and Co. have recorded four victories so far.
“You can never let your guard down against New Zealand because you think you’re sitting with your nose in front and you tend to relax. Because then suddenly there comes a period where two or three wickets go and they’re back in the thick of things,” Shastri said in the ICC review.
Shastri, who knows a thing or two about planning and preparation, praised New Zealand for being a meticulous side known for fighting till the end and never letting the intensity drop at any point in a match.
“I think their preparation is incredibly detailed. Where they study every player, which bowlers to bowl, when to a particular batsman,” he said.
“Their matchups are fantastic. And you can see on the field that they don’t care a cent. They are hanging in there,” Shastri added.
When the two teams met earlier in the tournament, the Proteas won by seven wickets as they chased a 176-run target at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with 17 balls to spare. Marco Jansen was the Player of the Match when he scored a four-for. Markram also led from the front as the South African captain compiled an unbeaten 86 from 44 balls to take his team home.
South Africa maintains its lead against New Zealand in head-to-head encounters in T20I cricket. They have emerged victorious in 12 of the 19 matches against the Black Caps.
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