Both teams have taken contrasting routes to reach the last eight stage with New Zealand winning all their six pool games and West Indies scraping through as the fourth placed team from Group B.
An unpredictable West Indies need Gayle for the crucial knock-out game even as captain Jason Holder said a final call on the dangerous opener will be taken not before match day morning.
Gayle, however, trained for the first time this week this morning after receiving an injection in his lower back.
Though dispelling the notion that West Indies were overtly dependant on Gayle, Holder said any team would love to have the left-hander on board.
"Well, obviously Chris's stats speak for themselves. He is one of the most feared batsmen in world cricket. So to have Chris on the squad is a plus for anybody. So to have him there, just his presence, is something.
The captain himself has been a key player for the West Indies, performing both with the bat and ball in the side's three wins and as many losses in the group stage.
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