New Zealand vs Pakistan - Match Preview: New Zealand will clash against Pakistan in the 1st Semi-Final of the T20 World Cup 2022 on Wednesday, November 09 from 1:30 PM IST onwards at Sydney.
New Zealand topped the Super 12 group 1 points table while Pakistan bounces back after two back-to-back defeats to finish at second in group 2.
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New Zealand vs Pakistan: Semi-Final 1 Match Preview
Match Details:-
Match: New Zealand vs Pakistan - Semi-Final 1 Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. Date & Time: November 09, 2022, at 1:30 PM (IST) Where to Watch Live: Star Sports Network and JIO TV.
Pitch Report: New Zealand vs Pakistan
The match will be played at SCG. The pitch out here is a true blue batting paradise. Scores of 200 have been posted on this quite often.
Matches Played: 28 Won by New Zealand: 11 Won by Pakistan: 17
Team News:
New Zealand:
In the five games the Kiwis have played in the Super 12 stage, they performed well enough to finish at the top of the group's table. In batting department, Devon Conway and Glenn Philips were the star while the good news for the side is skipper Kane Williamson is back in touch after scoring a fifty in last game. Phillips hammered a half-century and a century while Conway and Kane have one half-century each.
More than batting, the team has performed much better in bowling. Southee and Boult took the charge in pace department while Santner and Sodhi also picked wickets in regular intervals. Now, the Kiwis will be looking to keep their winning momentum going to end up their title wait, which they missed last time.
Meanwhile, for the Men in Green they bounced back after two back-to-back defeats in their very first two encounters in the Super 12. They suffered two close defeats against India and Zimbabwe respectively, but made a comeback in the next three games. Since then they defeated Nederlands, South Africa, and Bangladesh to finish at second in group 2 points table. Pakistan's top two Babar and Rizwan have eventually failed to score big so far in this edition which is a concern for the side.
The bowling department of Pakistan performed well enough and one of the reasons of the teams comeback in the tournament. The trio of Afridi, Wasim Jr, and Haris Rauf challenges the opponents in every game while Shadab and Nawaz puts pressure on the batters. The Men in Green are currently in a winning streak of three games, and they will be looking to keep their momentum here at the SCG to made it to the final this time, which they missed eventually last year.
New Zealand vs Ireland: Semi-Final 1: Possible Playing XI
Babar Azam (C) Mohammed Rizwan (wk) Mohammad Harris Shan Masood Iftikhar Ahmed Mohammad Nawaz Shadab Khan Shaheen Afridi Mohammad Wasim Jr. Naseem Shah Haris Rauf
New Zealand has appointed Rob Walter as the coach of all three formats of New Zealand men's cricket team in place of Gary Stead. Walter was the coach of South Africa's ODI and T20 teams from January 2023 to April this year. Prior to this, he coached for five years in New Zealand's Otago Province and Central Districts Association.
Under Rob Walter's coaching, South Africa made it to the semifinals of the ODI World Cup 2023 and the Champions Trophy this year. Not only this, he also played an important role in taking South Africa to the finals of the T20 World Cup last year.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to work with such a talented group of players and support staff through a period of time in which so many global events, as well as massive bilateral series, will be contested,” Walter said. “I just can’t wait to get started. It’s exciting, it’s challenging and the opportunity is enormous.”
The 49-year-old Rob Walter was high on New Zealand Cricket's list of preferred candidates from the moment it decided to pursue another all-formats coach, ruling out Stead who guided the Black Caps to the inaugural World Test Championship.
He'll take over in time for New Zealand's tour to Zimbabwe, which starts with a T20 tri-series against the hosts and South Africa before a two-test series against Zimbabwe.
Stead step down from his role in March
Stead has been New Zealand's head coach across all three formats since 2018. New Zealand Cricket announced earlier this week that it was looking for a new coach to replace him.
Stead announced in March that he was stepping down from his role in limited-overs formats but wanted to stay on as Test coach. New Zealand Cricket, however, said it preferred to have one coach for all three formats.
Sai Sudharsan won the Orange Cap after a stellar season for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. So, let's look at all the Orange Cap winners in IPL since 2008.
The player who scores the most runs in a single season of the IPL wins the Orange Cap award. This award has been given to the highest run-scorers since the first season of the Indian Premier League (2008). Cricketers must consistently play some brilliant innings and deliver match-winning performances in a season to win the Orange Cap. So, let's look at all the Orange Cap winners in IPL since 2008.
Shaun Marsh (616 runs in 11 matches in 2008) was the first player to win the award.
The record for most runs in a single IPL season is held by Virat Kohli (973 runs in the 2016 edition).
David Warner has the record of winning the Orange Cap the most number of times (3).
Rules for Orange Cap:
The Orange Cap is awarded to the leading run-scorer of the IPL season.
The batsman who holds the Orange Cap during the season is allowed to wear it while in the field during the games, as long as he holds the top-scorer spot in the tournament.
In a season where two or more batsmen are tied on runs, the batsman with a better strike rate is awarded the Orange Cap.
In a season where an opposition batsman overtakes the tally of the current holder of the Orange Cap, the previous holder is allowed to wear the Cap until the end of that particular innings in which another batsman overtakes him.
Orange Cap winners list in IPL since 2008
2008 - Shaun Marsh
Shaun Marsh won the Orange Cap in the inaugural IPL season | Image: X
Shaun Marsh from Punjab Kings is the Orange Cap winner of the inaugural edition of the IPL. The Australian batsman started the IPL journey with a bang. He scored 616 runs in only 11 matches with an average of 68.4 and a strike rate of 139.68. His 616 runs include 1 century and 5 half-centuries.
2009 - Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden was the top run-scorer in the 2009 season | Image: X
The next Orange Cap winner is Matthew Hayden. Even after his international retirement from the Australian Cricket team in early 2009, he proved his worth in that season. He showed a spectacular performance and scored a total of 572 runs in 12 matches. In the 2nd edition of IPL, he played for Chennai Super Kings and scored 5 half-centuries with an average of 52 and a strike rate of 144.81.
2010 - Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar won the Orange Cap in the 2010 season | Image: IPL
The God of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar has also enlisted his name in this list of Orange Cap winners. In the 2010 IPL, the then captain of Mumbai Indians aggregated 618 runs including 5 half-centuries in 15 matches. He represented his team in the best way possible and took the team to the final as well but unfortunately, MI finished their journey as runners-up after losing against CSK in the finals. In the 3rd edition of IPL, he played in 15 matches with an average of 47.53 and a strike rate of 132.61
2011 - Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle won the 2011 Orange Cap | Image: Getty
What is a list of top T20 scorers without Chris Gayle? It is incomplete indeed. Chris Gayle is undoubtedly one of the best players in the T20 format and one of the greatest hitters in all the formats of cricket. In the 2011 IPL, he scored a massive 608 runs in only 12 matches. One of his most distinguished factors is his strike rate. He played with a strike rate of 183.13 which is the highest of any Orange Cap winners in the tournament. Also, his total runs include 2 centuries and 3 half-centuries with an average of 67.55.
2012 - Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle was the top run-scorer in the 2012 season | Image: Getty
In the very next year, Chris Gayle again created several storms on the field and became the top run-scorer in the IPL 2012 season. No one could ever dare to come in the way of his extreme rise in the T20 format. In the 4th edition of IPL, the Jamaican cricketer scored a massive 733 runs including 1 century and 7 half-centuries in 15 matches. He played with an average of 61.08 and a strike rate of 160.74.
Michael Hussey won the Orange Cap in the 2013 season | Image: Getty
Michael Hussey, popularly known as Mr cricket has also made his name into this list with 733 runs in 17 matches. The Orange Cap winner of the 2013 IPL smashed 6 half-centuries with an average of 52.5 and a strike rate of 129.5. He made a huge contribution to CSK's entry into the finals. Unfortunately, MI won the title of the season.
2014 - Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa was the top run-scorer in the 2014 season | Image: X
One of the impactful players of IPL 2014 was Robin Uthappa. He played a key role in taking Kolkata Knight Riders into the finals and also winning their second title. Uthappa played in 16 matches and scored 660 runs including 5 half-centuries with an average of 44 and a strike rate of 137.78.
2015 - David Warner
David Warner won the Orange Cap in the 2015 season | Image: X
David Warner of Sunrisers Hyderabad was the Orange Cap winner of IPL 2015. The team played their debut match in 2013 and Warner made 2015 a good season for the team and the fans by scoring 562 runs in 14 matches. His total runs also include 7 half-centuries with an average of 43.23 and a strike rate of 156.54
2016 - Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli won the Orange Cap in the 2016 season | Image: Getty
A list of achievements by batsmen is incomplete without the King of Cricket Virat Kohli. The captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore is the highest run-scorer in a single edition of IPL. In 2016 IPL he smashed 4 centuries and 7 half-centuries to aggregate a total of 973 runs in 16 matches. In that season, he played with an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03. The 2016 IPL has been a good year for the team as they made it to the finals but unfortunately could not win the title.
2017 - David Warner
David Warner was the top run-scorer in the 2017 IPL season | Image: SRH/X
Once again David Warner had a spectacular season in the marquee T20 league and became the Orange Cap winner of IPL 2017. The captain of the defending winning team smashed 641 runs including 1 century and 4 half-centuries in 14 matches. He played with an average of 58.27 and a strike rate of 141.81.
Kane Williamson was the 2018 top run-scorer in the IPL | Image: Getty
IPL 2018 changed the T20 career of the New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. Before the season, he was not that appreciated as an impactful T20 player. But he utilized the opportunity and gave his best and proved his worth to everyone as a great batsman in all three formats. In 17 matches, he scored 735 runs including 8 half-centuries with an average of 52.5 and a strike rate of 142.44. The captain represented the team and took it to the final as well as won the Orange Cap.
2019 - David Warner
David Warner was the top run-scorer in the 2019 IPL season | Image: Getty
The only cricketer to win the Orange Cap 3 times in IPL history is none other than David Warner. He achieved this milestone in IPL 2019 by scoring 692 runs in 12 matches. He smashed 1 century and 8 half-centuries to score a total of 692 runs with an average of 69.2 and a strike rate of 143.86. His impactful performances along with his opening partner Jonny Bairstow took the team to the playoffs in IPL 2019 but unfortunately, they did not win the title.
2020 - KL Rahul
Kl Rahul was the top run-scorer in the 2020 IPL season | Image: iplt20.com
The skipper of Punjab Kings, Kl Rahul won the 2019 Orange Cap. He and his teammates were unable to end the journey on a good note but the captain made sure to glorify the team's name and became the highest run-scorer of the season. In 14 matches he scored 670 runs with an average of 55.83 and a strike rate of 129.34. His whopping 670 runs also include 1 century and 5 half-centuries.
2021 - Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad won the Orange Cap in the 2021 season | Image: BCCI
Chennai Super Kings's present skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the IPL 2021 orange cao for his sensational batting. He scored 635 runs in 16 innings at an average of 45.35. He was one of the few reasons CSK won their fourth IPL title in 2021. Gaikwad struck 4 half-centuries and one century that season with a best score of 101 not out.
2022 - Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler was the top run-scorer in the 2022 season | Image: BCCI
Jos Buttler was just unbelievable in the IPL 2022 season. Rajasthan didn't win the title but Buttler won hearts. He struck 863 runs in 17 innings at an average of 57.53 with 4 centuries and as many as half-centuries. He also became the second batter after Virat Kohli to score 4 centuries in a single IPL season. Buttler also struck a whooping 45 sixes that season, the fourth highest by a player in a season of the Indian cash-rich league.
2023 - Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill won the Orange Cap in the 2023 season | Image: iplt20.com
Gujarat Titans' present captain Shubman Gill had a season to remember in IPL 2023. He broke several records and won the prestigious Orange Cap. Gill finished as the leading run-scorer, amassing 890 runs in only 17 matches. He played big knocks in pivotal moments in the tournament to guide his side to back-to-back IPL finals. However, MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings clinched their fifth IPL title by defeating GT in the final. Gill’s 890 runs came at an impressive average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 157.80 while scoring three centuries and four fifties.
2024 - Virat Kohli
The 2024 was a brilliant season for Virat Kohli with the bat and he finished at the top of the highest run-getter charts in the Indian Premier League. He couldn't take RCB to the Final but did his part with the bat. RCB qualified for the playoffs after making a stupendous comeback, winning all their last six group-stage matches and lots of credit goes to Kohli. But, they got knocked out of the tournament after losing to Rajasthan in the Eliminator. Virat scored 741 runs at a spectacular average of 61.75 and a great strike rate of 154.69 which includes five half-centuries and one century. He was by far the best batsman of the 2024 season and won his second-ever orange cap in the history of the competition.
2025 - Sai Sudharsan
Sai Sudharsan won the Orange Cap after a stellar season for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. It was the form of their top three that powered GT’s run to the playoffs this season and Sudharsan led the way in a lineup that included his captain Shubman Gill and an all-time T20 great in Jos Buttler. Sudharsan finished the season with 759 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.21 and maintained a strike rate of 156.17. He scored six half-centuries and one century.
The IPL 2025 Purple Cap is still on the head of Prasidh Krishna. In the Qualifier 2 match between Punjab and Mumbai, Trent Bolt had a chance to go ahead of Prasidh. But Bolt's magic did not work in this match. Now Mumbai's team is out of IPL. In such a situation, Bolt's number of wickets will also not increase.
Talking IPL 2025 Purple Cap contenders, Prasidh Krishna of Gujarat Titans is still number one. Prasidh has 25 wickets in 15 matches. Noor Ahmed of Chennai Super Kings is at number two with 24 wickets. But his team has been eliminated.
The biggest challenge for Prasidh Krishna is Josh Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bangaluru. Hazlewood has 21 wickets in 11 matches. He is also the kind of bowler who can take five or six wickets in a match. If Hazlewood manages to do this against Punjab Kings in the final, he will make the path to Purple Cap very easily.
Is Rishabh Pant's T20I career nearly over after a horrific IPL 2025?
After a disastrous IPL campaign with 13.73 average, the entire nation has this one question to ask: Is Rishabh Pant's T20I career nearly over after a horrific IPL 2025? Read to know more.
The 2025 IPL season has delivered a brutal reality check for Rishabh Pant. After being picked up by LSG for 27 crore, he turned out to be the most expensive flop of this season.
Can a player sustain an international career after such disappointing performance? Is Rishabh Pant's T20I career nearly over after a horrific IPL 2025?
Let's dive into the cold facts.
The disappointing IPL 2025 numbers
Rishabh Pant slipping down the pitch during a match in IPL 2025. Image | Facebook
Rishabh Pant was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants as the most expensive player in IPL history for ₹27 crore, which proved to be totally not worth it. He only managed to score 151 runs in 13 matches with an average of 13.73 and a strike rate barely crossing 107.
He is the lowest scorer among all the LSG batters in IPL 2025. Apart from batting performance, he also failed as a captain. The team only won 6 matches out of 13 and lost their playoffs berth under Pant's captaincy.
Pant's questionable descision-making, poor shot selections, and a complete lack of form did not justify the big price tag ahead in the auction.
The T20I context: India's current pool and future outlook
Rishabh Pant's position is now critically questionable as India's T20 squad selection prioritizes consistency in batting, high strike rates, and adaptable wicket-keeping.
The current pool of contenders are highly competitive and has the potential to outperform Pant.
KL Rahul: His current form in IPL 2025 is magnificent and he has consistently performed well for the team. Rahul's ability to anchor and accelerate has again brought him into T20I contention.
Sanju Samson: Yet another prime contender with high experience and quality performance. He also holds the ability to blend well into the format.
Dhruv Jurel: A promising young talent who also has the ability to make impactful finish for the team.
Ishan Kishan: The pocket dynamo who started his IPL 2025 season with a phenomenal century, and gained his spot in BCCI's central contract (2025), is another strong contender.
Where Rishabh Pant fits (or doesn't fit):
Rishabh Pant playing for team India in T20Is. Image | TOI
Following the poor performance of Rishabh Pant, several known names have speculated about his mental state and his inability to deal pressure. The former Indian cricketer, Kris Srikkanth, also suggested that Pant should consider taking a break from his format.
The modern T20 format demands a lot of things that Pant is completely missing:
Insufficient strike rate
Lack of clarity in shot-making
Inability to convert build innings
Diminished reliability as wicketkeeper-batter
No longer an unique left-handed power option
Difficulty handling run-rate pressure
Pant is missing the "X-factor" that he once possessed. Therefore, unless his form significantly improves soon and makes a comeback, his T20 career is effectively over.
Esha Oza currently holds the record for most centuries in WT20Is, with four centuries in the format. Explore the list of players with such century records!
Scoring a century in any form of cricket is a moment of glory, but in the fast-paced format of T20s, it gets more exciting to watch. Numerous cricketers have consistently proved themselves in this format by delivering spectacular tons.
The list goes deep as we have such power-hitters from around the globe!
Join us as we explore the list of players with most centuries in WT20Is and celebrate their glorious innings.
1. Esha Oza (4 centuries) | UAE
Esha Oza in action against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2024. Image | ESPNcricinfo
The current captain of UAE, Esha Oza, holds the record for most centuries in WT20Is with 4 centuries in her T20 career so far. This Indian-born cricketer made her debut in T20Is in 2018 and reached this milestone extremely fast.
She is also the fastest player from UAE to reach 1000 runs in T20Is. Her fourth century in T20Is came against Qatar in the Asia Cup qualifier, where she led her team to a brilliant victory.
Chamari Athapaththu celebrating her 113 off 66 balls against Australia in 2019. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Chamari Athapaththu, the current captain of Sri Lanka national team, holds the 2nd position in this list with her 3 centuries in WT20Is. She is one of the finest cricketers from Sri Lanka and led them to win the 2024 Asia Cup.
Chamari scored her first hundred in T20Is in 2019 against Australia. She scored the other following centuries in 2024 against Scotland and Malaysia.
Fatuma Kibasu celebrating her century in 2019. Image | Facebook
The former captain of Tanzania, Fatuma Kibasu, holds the 3rd position with her 3 centuries in WT20Is. She is the only Tanzanian woman to score a century at international level so far, and holds the highest individual score for her country in WT20Is.
Fatuma made her T20 debut in 2019 and played magnificently ever since!