NZ face Windies in do-or-die clash today

WELLINGTON, June 12 (AFP): Coach Gary Stead said his New Zealand team have held "honest conversations" ahead of a do-or-die clash against the West Indies at the Twenty20 World Cup.

A stunning loss to Afghanistan in their opening game means the beaten 2021 finalists must win their remaining three pool matches to advance.

That starts with co-hosts the West Indies at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Wednesday local time.

"This is essentially like a knockout game. We have got to give it everything we can," Stead told New Zealand media on a video call.

"We have to win three games. We have to win them well."

New Zealand were well beaten by Afghanistan, by 84 runs, for their first defeat to the Afghans in T20 cricket.

Stead said he may tinker with his line-up, but will resist making vast changes.

"I think one of the dangers is if you chop and change too much, then it looks like you are panicking a wee bit," he said.

"We had some pretty honest conversations around the performance.