New Zealand Qualifies For T20 World Cup Semifinal, Eliminate Afghanistan & India

A rather comfortable chase against Afghanistan helped New Zealand book their place in the semifinal of T20 World Cup 2021 on Sunday afternoon in Abu Dhabi. With this win, New Zealand becomes the second team from group two to qualify for the semifinal after Pakistan. Both Afghanistan and India are now out of the race even though the Virat Kohli-led side is yet to play against Namibia. 

Chasing 125, Mujeeb Ur Rahman removed Daryl Mitchell in the fourth over but Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson added 45 runs in the powerplay. The duo added 31 runs for the second wicket before Rashid Khan got him out. 

Williamson, however, made sure there were no more hiccups as he along with Devon Conway chased down the target in the 19th over. While Williamson hit 40 from 42 balls, Conway scored 36. 

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Afghanistan were put under pressure inside the powerplay as they lost three wickets and scored just 23 runs. All three wickets were lost to pacers - Trent Boult, Adam Milne, and Tim Southee. 

Gulbadin Naib and Najibullah Zadran tried to revive the innings with their 37-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Naib was the second-highest run-scorer as he hit 15 runs. 

His partner Zadran continued and added 59 runs with captain Mohammad Nabi. Zadran made sure Afghanistan put in a decent total and gave something to the bowlers to defend. Nabi, during the 59 run stand, only added 14 runs while Najibullah Zadran scored a fighting 73. 

A top-class death overs bowling kept Afghanistan under 130. Trent Boult picked three wickets, Tim Southee two, while Adam Milne, James Neesham, and Ish Sodhi got one each. 

Brief Scorecard: 

Afghanistan - 124/8 
New Zealand - 125/2 in 18.1 overs