New Zealand wary of misstep in first ever fixture against Namibia

Even as decimal places run riot in the world of Net Run Rates, the semifinal route for New Zealand is pretty simple. Win their fixtures against Namibia and Afghanistan, and go through.

Except that there are a couple of things to consider. New Zealand have never faced Namibia in men's international cricket before; and even though their strengths on paper don't exactly match up, the lack of familiarity for New Zealand could be fateful at a time when one misstep could cost them a semifinal spot. India's big win over Afghanistan must certainly be on their minds.

Then there's the question of fatigue. The match against Namibia in Sharjah will be New Zealand's second afternoon game on the bounce. They played one against Scotland only a day before in Dubai and will play the next one after a day's rest in Abu Dhabi. With the kind of travel and the heat that awaits them this week, it could be a challenge for someone like Kane Williamson who came into this tournament with a flared-up elbow. Martin Guptill looked like he had all the answers to Scotland the other day but