Vettori to rely on attack

Two of the newest international captains pit their wits against each other when New Zealand play Pakistan in the first World Twenty20 semi-final in Cape Town on Saturday. New Zealand's Daniel Vettori will be hoping to outsmart Shoaib Malik and vice versa as the men bid to get their sides to the showpiece final in Johannesburg on Monday. And it looks as though Vettori has the edge over Shoaib, who is considerably more inexperienced in the international game. Vettori has marshalled his troops superbly so far. It has often been said that the Kiwis get the most out of a limited squad of players and certainly, man for man, they are the least talented. Yet they are one of the most organised. Every players knows his role and that is in no small part to Vettori carrying on the good work done by former captain Stephen Fleming. New Zealand will aim to win the game with the ball rather than the bat. They will look to take the pace off, build pressure and field like dervishes. And they will have a plan for every single Pakistan batsman, too. Pakistan may crumble if New Zealand execute their plans although in Shoaib and Younis Khan they have two players clever enough to destroy any gameplan. Shoaib is proving effective in his role after replacing the do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do former skipper Inzamam. Himself and Younis included, Pakistan have been able to play with such freedom because of the way he has reduced the fear factor. It would be fitting that Pakistan made the final of a global tournament in the country where the family of their former coach Bob Woolmer lived. And the bookmakers think they will manage it given they are favourites. Unfortunately Vettori and his bookworm boys may have something to say about that and at evens with Pinnacle Sports and others they look too good to miss out on. Verdict: 1pt New Zealand @ Evs (Betfred, Stan James, Pinnacle Sports) (Editor's Note: New Zealand are a team of few stars but a great collective unit - have they got enough to see off the unbeaten Pakistan. If Follow all the latest prices on Betfred, Stan James and Pinnacle Sports!)