New Zealand's captain Daniel Vettori has identified Elton Chigumbura as the danger man for Zimbabwe as the two teams prepare for Tuesday's battle to decide who progresses to the Super Eights. New Zealand are in a strong position, having beaten Sri Lanka in the tournament opener, but a loss to Zimbabwe would bring the equation down to net run-rate.
Zimbabwe were on the wrong end of the Duckworth-Lewis calculations against Sri Lanka on Monday and need a healthy win to have any chance of staying in the competition. Vettori noted Zimbabwe's strong form in the practice matches and he said getting Chigumbura cheaply would be a key.
"They've played pretty well, if you look at the warm-up games as well where they beat Australia and Pakistan," Vettori said. "They have some form on their side. They were a little bit unlucky with the rain and the Duckworth-Lewis system today but we see them as a threat and we know we'll have to play pretty well to beat them.
"Chigumbura has been pretty impressive for them. He's probably won both their warm-up games for them, so whilst he bats down the order, when he comes in we've got to try to put a bit of pressure on him and dismiss him early."
Vettori said New Zealand were unlikely to make any changes from the team that beat Sri Lanka. Kyle Mills has been added to the side to form a 12 but he will almost certainly be carrying the drinks, with New Zealand not prepared to take anything but their best outfit in to the match.
"We're in a must-win situation as well, which I think is a good thing for us so we don't have the chance to slacken off," Vettori said. "We have to go in there and win the game. We want to win it comprehensively and not worry about run-rates. Zimbabwe have played pretty well in this tournament."