T20 WC 2021: NZ shatter India’s semi-final hopes with 8-wicket win over Afghanistan

November 7, 2021

New Zealand punched their ticket to the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2021 with an 8-wicket win over Afghanistan in their last league stage fixture. A win for the Black Caps marked the end of the journey for Afghanistan as well as India. The Kane Williamson-led side finished the group stage with 4 wins from 5 matches.
India have 2 wins from 4 matches and cannot match NZ’s tally even if they defeat Namibia in their 5th league stage fixture tomorrow (November 8). Afghanistan have 2 wins from 5 matches and are certain to finish at the 4th spot.
Asked to chase down 125, NZ did lose the wickets of openers Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell. But in the end, it was a big win for them. Skipper Williamson led from the front and scored a sedate 40* off 42. He only struck three boundaries during his stay in the middle and batted with a strike-rate of 95.24. He was accompanied by Devin Conway, who scored 36 off 32. He struck 4 boundaries.

The duo added match-winning 68 runs for the 3rd wicket and completed the chase in 18.1 overs with 8 wickets left.
Earlier in the game, Afghanistan struggled on the batting front and barring Najibullah Zadran, none of the batters breached the 20-run mark. He scored 73 off 48.
The NZ pacers dominated the proceedings and shared 7 wickets between them. Trent Boult spearheaded the bowling attack and dismissed Hazratullah Zazai, Najibullah and Karim Janat. Tim Southee sent back Rahmanullah Gurbaz and skipper Mohammad Nabi.
NZ’s tight bowling saw Afghanistan only managing a total of 124/8, which didn’t prove to be enough. Pakistan is the 2nd team which has made it to the semi-final from group 2.