T20WC: New Zealand batters brace for Pakistan spin challenge in Super 8s opener

• New Zealand's middle-order faces a crucial test against Pakistan's spin unit in the T20 World Cup Super Eight Group 2 match.
• Kiwi openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen have performed well, but the middle-order, including Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra, lacks consistency.
• Pakistan's spinners, including Usman Tariq and Shadab Khan, are expected to dominate on the sluggish Colombo pitch, where they have prior experience.
• Pakistan's batting also faces concerns, with Babar Azam struggling for form; Fakhar Zaman or Shaheen Shah Afridi might be considered.
• New Zealand's pace attack needs to adapt with variations on the slow pitch to support their spinners, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi.