A Pakistan fan will always look to derive hope from their successful 1992 ODI World Cup campaign in Australia.

A ragged Pakistan team under Imran Khan transformed itself into a champion side from the brink of elimination in the 1992 Cup. Thirty years on, fans will be hoping Babar Azam’s men can recreate the same magic, beginning with the semi-final against New Zealand in Sydney on Wednesday. Pakistan have reached this far because South Africa infamously faltered at the most crucial time. But their win against Bangladesh in their last group match will boost their morale after a couple of heart-breaking results.

New Zealand though will not be cowed by that. They have an intimidating record in ICC tournaments since the last decade and will be looking to build on that.

The contest is expected to be a high-scoring one since four of the top 10 totals in the tournament have been scored at the SCG. Glenn Phillips scored his 64-ball 104 against Sri Lanka at the SCG and Devon Conway made an unbeaten 92 off 58 against Australia.

Similarly, the 82 runs that Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan shared off 36 balls against South Africa came at the same ground. Interestingly, both teams are unbeaten at this venue so far.

Kane Williamson can’t decide if coming back to a venue that his team is familiar with is an advantage or not. “I suppose it’s kind of interesting, the first game we played here, the wicket was a very good one,” Williamson said. “And then the second time we played here it had changed... So whether that’s a disadvantage or an advantage, it’s sort of hard to know,” he said.

Tactics and game plans will take centre stage in such a knockout clash. New Zealand will want to bowl fast and short while Shaheen Shah Afridi versus Finn Allen could be a key battle with the opener enjoying an astonishing strike rate of 189.58 in the tournament.

Tim Southee and Trent Boult have been in four World Cup finals across formats, but they’re yet to lay their hands on a white-ball trophy. They will be keen to do something special in what could be their last chance. How Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who are under pressure because of their poor form, tackle the pace and swing could determine Pakistan’s chances.

Who holds the aces?

On paper, New Zealand certainly appear to be better balanced than Pakistan as the two teams get ready to lock horns in the first semi-final of this T20 World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday. But such theories count for little in a big match, especially in the shortest format, and a more practical approach to understanding the contest would probably be to dissect the duels within the battles.

The Telegraph takes a look at some such match-ups which may go on to decide who has the last laugh.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson at practice on Tuesday. Getty Images

■ Rizwan/Babar vs Boult/ Southee

Both Trent Boult and Tim Southee, New Zealand’s long-serving pace soldiers, are in a pretty decent rhythm. Left-arm quick Boult went wicketless in the last two games. But given the sloppy and shaky show so far by Pakistan openers Mohammad Rizwan and captain Babar Azam, Boult should certainly be fancying his chances of making early inroads alongside Southee. Such is Rizwan and Babar’s current form that even in their 50-plus opening stands, they haven’t looked convincing.

However, with the SCG pitch likely to favour batters more, Rizwan and Babar may get another opportunity at redemption.

Tim Southee during New Zealand’s training session at SCG on Tuesday, the eve of their semi-final against Pakistan. Getty Images

■ Shaheen/Rauf vs Conway/Kane

Shaheen Shah Afridi is gradually getting into his groove. And once that happens, Pakistan’s opponents know how deadly he can be. Although the Black Caps openers, Finn Allen and Devon Conway, have fared better than their Pakistani counterparts, they are short on consistency. Left-armer Shaheen will look to exploit that. Equally dangerous will be Haris Rauf. However, Conway being a technically skilled batter has the ability to alter his game as per the situation. And then they have the calming effect of their captain Kane Williamson, who can also be at his aggressive best, which was witnessed in last year’s Cup final versus Australia.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Tuesday.

■ Shadab vs Phillips

The conditions at the SCG do favour spinners a bit, something Shadab Khan benefitted from when Pakistan faced South Africa in the Super 12s. But the experienced leg-spinner will come across Glenn Phillips, who has been one of New Zealand’s top performers and also scored a match-winning 104 at the same venue against Sri Lanka, a team that relies mainly on spinners.

But Shadab is usually disciplined in his line and length, which has got him 10 wickets so far, and Phillips will have to out-think the spinner before he employs his reverse sweeps and big hits.