New Zealand secured their place in the T20 World Cup semifinals with an eight-wicket victory over Afghanistan; Black Caps will play England in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday before Pakistan play Australia in Dubai on Thursday; New Zealand’s victory over Afghanistan eliminates both Afghanistan and India
Kane Williamson was a picture of calm as he led New Zealand past Afghanistan and into the semi-finals.
New Zealand achieved an eight-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi to clinch a T20 World Cup semi-final against England and eliminate pre-tournament favorites India.
The Black Caps entered the game knowing victory would take them into the last four and produced a consummate performance by holding Afghanistan to 124-8, Trent Boult at 3-17 and Tim Southee at 2-24.
Kane Williamson (40th of 42 balls) then made sure there was no drama in the chase, sharing an unbroken 68-run partnership with Devon Conway (36th of 32) to put him on the line with 11 balls remaining.
New Zealand temporarily topped Group 2, but Pakistan’s win over Scotland later in the day brought them back to the top and knocked the Black Caps down in second place.
New Zealand will now face Group 1 winners England in Wednesday’s first semi-final in Abu Dhabi, and Australia will meet Pakistan in Dubai on Thursday for a place in the final.
The Black Caps’ victory over Afghanistan put an end to Afghanistan and India’s hopes of reaching the quarterfinals, with India now completing the Super 12 stage against Namibia in Dubai on Monday.
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to hit first, and while Williamson admitted he would have done the same on a used surface, bowling first didn’t seem like much of a challenge for New Zealand as they claimed three wickets in the power play.
Adam Milne (1-17) caught Mohammad Shahzad after some juggling from Conway, Boult eliminated Hazratullah in the next over and Southee caught Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the sixth to leave Afghanistan reeling at 19-3.
Najibullah Zadran came in and, for the next 13 overs, he was essentially a one-man kickback on an impressive 73-of-48-ball shot that included six fours and three sixes.
Around him, however, Afghanistan continued to struggle with Gulbadin Naib (15 of 18) and Mohammad Nabi (14 of 20), the only other hitters to reach double figures.
Once Najib fell to Boult, courtesy of a superb reception from Jimmy Neesham, the innings ended on a whimper: Neesham (1-24) took a wicket and conceded just two runs in the final.
New Zealand lost Daryl Mitchell (17 of 12) after a confident start in his response, the return of Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1-31) found the advantage over Shahzad, and Afghanistan had a glimmer of hope when Rashid Khan (1-31) 27) claimed his 400th T20 window by launching Martin Guptill with a googly.
Yet even after a few quiet laps with the Afghan spinners showing their quality, Williamson and Conway maintained control of the chase and from the 12th to the 17th inclusive, they scored at least one cap and one finish to extinguish any lingering Afghanistan. – or India – hopes and move on the brink of victory.
An easy single, hit from the first ball of 19 in the over, completed the most professional victory for New Zealand, who can now begin planning a semi-final and a chance to play in another final of the ICC tournament.
The endgame of the Super 12 sees India face Namibia in Dubai, as Virat Kohli intends to sign as captain of the T20 with a victory. The match is also Ravi Shastri’s last as head coach before Rahul Dravid takes over.
The T20 World Cup continues live on Sky Sports Cricket from 1.30 am on Monday. Watch India vs Namibia in Dubai with the two semi-finals to be held on Wednesday and Thursday.
