The ninth game of the ICC World T20 will see New Zealand play Zimbabwe at the Providence in Guyana, in a virtual knock-out. If New Zealand win the game, they are through to the next round, whereas despite the disparity of the net run-rates, the Zimbabwean team will still fancy their chances if they win.

However, on paper, New Zealand is far stronger. Especially, with the strong batting line-up, as compared to the Zimbabwean top-order which is, at best, a hit or miss kind of a scenario. This will mean that the Kiwis will be favourites to avoid defeat, going in at 1/6 (Paddy Power) to win the game. Bet365 offers 5/1 for a Zimbabwean upset.

Zimbabwe lost their opening encounter because of a total lack of strategy while chasing a rain-shortened encounter. The batsmen like Tatenda Taibu (4/1 at Sky Bet) and Hamilton Masakadza (4/1 at Blue Square) needed to go after the bowling from the word go, and that just did not happen. For this game, one gets the sense that the Zimbabweans need to get back to the basics, but also keep an eye on the rain, which has been coming down in Guyana rather regularly.

This will mean that their best batsman in the tournament so far, Elton Chigumbura (6/1 at Stan James to top-score for the side) will need to bat higher up the order, while Andy Blignaut (10/1 at Boylesports to top-score for Zimbabwe) needs to be in the playing eleven as well; just to give the ball a tonk in case of rains disrupting play.

New Zealand won the previous game, not because of a singular effort of a batsman – like in case of Sri Lanka – but because everyone contributed to the victory. That said, Jesse Ryder’s (7/2 at Ladbrokes to top-score for New Zealand again) presence at the top of the order has obviously added the necessary steel, whereas the likes of Ross Taylor (4/1 at Blue Square) and Scott Styris (10/1 at Boylesports, both to top score for their side) can then go after the bowling in the later overs, depending on the situation.

However, it is Martin Guptill (5/1 at Boylesports), at the top of the innings, who could be looking at batting through the innings, and hence, may end up top-scoring for the Kiwis.

Tips:
Favourites: New Zealand (1/6 at Paddy Power)
Top New Zealand batsman: Martin Guptill (5/1 at Boylesports)
Top Zimbabwe batsman: Elton Chigumbura (6/1 at Stan James)