Compact side with a composed leader

After securing their first ICC title in recent times by beating a formidable Indian team in the final of the World Test Championship in June this year, New Zealand will be looking to get their hands on the cherished ICC T20 World Cup trophy. The Black Caps will begin their World Cup campaign against Pakistan on October 26 in Sharjah, followed by another big match against India in Dubai on October 31. Over the years, the Kiwis failed to reflect their usually stellar international form in ICC tournaments. They have reached the last four of the T20 World Cup twice -- first in the inaugural edition in 2007 and then in the latest edition in 2016. In between, they were knocked out in the second round four times in a row. However, in recent years under the leadership of maestro Kane Williamson, New Zealand have moved past that hoodoo and now look a side that can go all the way. New faces like Devon Conway and Kyle Jamieson are expected to play a huge role for New Zealand while captain Williamson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Martin Guptill will lend experience to the side. Despite a good blend of youth and experience, the Kiwis have experienced a mixed bag of results since the start of 2019, winning 19 of their 36 matches.

STRENGTHS

The calm and composed presence of skipper Kane Williamson, who takes sensible decisions even in heated situations, will be New Zealand's biggest advantage. Williamson has brought out the team's best and they are a very powerful side, with an all-star bowling group and plenty of class in the batting department. Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee all feature in the top 10 of the ICC T20I bowling rankings while Martin Guptill and Devon Conway appear in the top 10 of the ICC T20I batting rankings.

WEAKNESSES

While the team looks fairly balanced and packed with power, the absence of a daunting all-rounder who can change the scenario of a game in the blink of an eye is a setback. They have named three all-rounders in their squad, but Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham and Mark Chapman will not be enough to frighten the opposition. Although they have seemingly covered all the bases, New Zealand might still struggle in the presumably slight slow and low UAE conditions.

BEST IN THE BUSINESS

Kane Williamson is the best skipper New Zealand have had in T20Is in their cricketing history. With his calm and collected demeanor, Williamson led the Kiwis to 23 wins in 49 games with a win percentage of 48.95 -- best among all the other Kiwi captains in T20Is.

SURPRISE INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

Ross Tylor and Colin De Grandhomme, who had been integral parts of this New Zealand team for years, were left out of the World Cup squad, which came as a huge shock. But their recent form with the bat is dismal, and that is why keeping these two experienced campaigners out of the mega tournament might not be a blunder.

SQUAD

Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee

RESERVE

Adam Milne