All-star New Zealand knock out Afghanistan and India

Monday, 8 November 2021 02:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

New Zealand join Pakistan, England and Australia in the semi-finals

New Zealand 125 for 2 (Williamson 40*, Conway 36*) beat Afghanistan 124 for 8 (Najibullah 73, Boult 3-17, Southee 2-24) by 8 wickets

ESPNCricinfo: New Zealand were clinical. As they have now made the semi-finals of four World Cups in a row (including ODI World Cups), this is perhaps not surprising.

Needing a win to ensure themselves a place in the final four, they produced what turned out to be a match-winning powerplay. Kane Williamson cycled his three quicks – Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Adam Milne – through the first six overs, giving them two apiece. They each claimed a wicket, and helped keep Afghanistan to less than four an over while the fielding restrictions were in operation.

Afghanistan recovered slightly, through a Najibullah Zadran half-century, but apart from one 19-run over against Mitchell Santner, never really managed to find momentum after that awful start. They spluttered their way to 124 for 8, and were always going to struggle to defend it.

In response, New Zealand strode to 45 for 1 at the end of their powerplay, and then Kane Williamson and Devon Conway came together to stroll to the finish – their unbeaten 68-run stand taking up 56 balls, even as the side won with 11 balls to spare.

With this win they have not only ended Afghanistan's semi-final hopes, but also those of India, whom they had beaten earlier in the tournament.

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