AFP, Wellington :
The Black Caps’ undefeated march to the World Twenty20 semi-finals means the side that international pundits initially dismissed as “a lesser team” are now tournament favourites, New Zealand media said Wednesday.
The New Zealanders seized their place in the final four with a 22-run win over Pakistan in Mohali on Tuesday, adding to a string of scalps that already includes India and Australia.
All three results would have been considered upsets at the start of the tournament, but NZ Herald cricket writer Andrew Alderson said the Black Caps were on track for their biggest-ever achievement on the world stage.
“New Zealand’s three convincing victories mean they now loom as a favourite to take out their maiden World Cup or World T20 title,” he wrote.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan ruffled Kiwi feathers last week when he criticised India for allowing “lesser teams into the game” during their tournament opener against the Black Caps.
New Zealand fans also noted that Indian television commentators seemed incredulous that the underdogs ground out a 47-run victory over the highly-fancied hosts in Nagpur.
