West Indies captain Rovman Powell feels this is the best time for the two-time winners to play ‘undercooked’ New Zealand in the T20 World Cup. On Wednesday (Jun 12), local time, West Indies will host Kane Williamson-led Black Caps at the Brian Lara Stadium Tarouba, Trinidad and hope to make it three wins in a row to cement their place in Super 8. The Kiwis are currently languishing at the bottom of Group D with a Net Run Rate of -4.200 after an 84-run loss to Afghanistan. 

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Ahead of the crucial clash versus the Black Caps, Powell said in the pre-match press conference, “Definitely, if there’s a good time to play New Zealand, I think it’s now. As you said, they’re a little bit undercooked. The pressure is really on them, because this game decides whether they go on: yes or no. Having said that, we’re not focusing on New Zealand: we’re focusing on what we have to do.”

The 30-year-old Powell further indicated that a high-scoring match may not be on the cards due to the weather. In this regard, Powell added, “With the rain around, that can play a part in the scores. If the groundsmen don’t have sufficient time to produce good wickets, that’s also a problem with the rain around. You don’t get enough time to sun. Hopefully tomorrow is a very good day in terms of the weather.”

Talking about NZ’s T20 WC opener, they faced Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan at the Providence Stadium, Guyana on Jun 7 (local time) and fell flat. Opting to bowl first, NZ were off to a poor start. Afghanistan rode on opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 80 to post 159 for 6. In reply, the Kiwis fell for a paltry 75 in 15.2 overs courtesy of Fazalhaq Farooqi and captain Rashid’s four wickets apiece.

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