If there's a good time to play New Zealand, it's now: Rovman Powell

The West Indies cricket team is riding high on confidence, heading into their crucial match against New Zealand at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Coming off back-to-back victories over Papua New Guinea and Uganda, captain Rovman Powell believes it's the best time to square off against the Kiwis. Kane Williamson and Co. lost their tournament opener to Afghanistan and currently sit at the bottom of their group.

Powell didn't mince words while speaking about the current state of the Black Caps. He feels the opposition is under immense pressure as the results of the upcoming match decide their path in the tournament.

"If there's a good time to play New Zealand I think it's now. As you mentioned they're a little bit undercooked, the pressure is really on them because this game decides whether they go on yes or no, but having said that we're not focusing on New Zealand we're focusing on what we have to do and once you do what we have to do then that will take care of itself," Powell said at the pre-match press conference as quoted by Crizbuzz.

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West Indies have played very good T20 cricket: Rovman Powell

The larger goal for the West Indies is to lift their third T20 World Cup trophy. Even more special would be the chance to do so on home soil.

"I think, when you look at the benefits of playing a World Cup at home for West Indies cricket, it's an enormous benefit. If we should go on and win the World Cup, it's the first team to have won a T20 World Cup at home," Powell added.

The West Indian skipper believes that the financial boost the country will get by hosting and winning such a marquee event is enormous. He believes the money can be used to uplift domestic cricket in the different islands. 

"And also, if you look at it from a financial standpoint, the boost West Indies cricket economy [will get] and how beneficial it is for so many different islands to be getting international cricket and international cricket of such good standards. That in itself is a beneficial factor for us and also for us as players; it's an opportunity to cement our space in West Indies cricket folklore. Winning a World Cup on home soil, not just myself as captain but all the guys I think will be remembered for such an achievement," he further added.

Also read: Ian Smith lashes out at New Zealand after getting thwacked by Afghanistan

While their next two games are important and against tough competitors, New Zealand and Afghanistan, Powell remains optimistic that his side will pass these tough challenges.

"I think if you look at the last year - the last 12-14 months - West Indies have played very good T20 cricket. So, it's just a continuation of us doing that, even though it's a World Cup. The guys have done a lot of hard work coming into this World Cup, so hopefully we can show that hard work. It's two of the more traditional nations, Afghanistan, and New Zealand, but I think once we focus on ourselves, we should be okay," Powell concluded.