The host team India are knocked out of the ICC Men’s T20 Tournament as New Zealand have qualified for the semi-final beating Afghanistan. India are standing in the 4th with 4 points. They have one game remaining in this tournament. But Pakistan and New Zealand have already secured their place from Group 2 in the semi-final of this tournament. As a result, India are out of this T20 tournament.
New Zealand beat Afghanistan
New Zealand have won the match against Afghanistan last night. It was an important match for the Kiwis because they had to win this game to qualify for the semifinals. However, Afghan captain Mohammad Nabi decided to bat first after winning the toss at Sheikh Abu Zayed Stadium.
Due to the aggression of the Kiwi bowlers, the Afghan batsmen could not stay longer on the pitch. The first three batsmen of Afghanistan could not cross ten runs individually. Afghanistan lost their first wicket as Adam Milne picked the wicket of Mohammad Shahzad in the 3rd over. Afghanistan lost another two wickets in the next two overs. Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz had to go back to the pavilion within six overs.
Then Gulbadin Naib tried to build up a partnership with Najibullah Zardan. Their partnership was looking good but Gulbadin Naib lost his wicket to Ish Sodhi after scoring 15 runs. Najibullah Zardan, on the other hand, fought alone. He is the only Afghan batsman to score a half-century in this match. Najibullah Zardan picked up 73 runs from 48 balls. He hit six boundaries and three over boundaries in his innings.
But other batsmen could not support him perfectly. As a result, Afghanistan scored 124 runs in 20 overs.
Trent Boult took three wickets, and Tim Southee took two wickets for the Kiwis. Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, and James Neesham got one wicket each.
Chasing a low target, New Zealand lost only two wickets and won the match. Both openers of New Zealand have had a good start in this match. They added 26 runs together on the scoreboard. Then, Daryl Mitchell lost his wicket to Mujib after scoring 17 runs. The other opener Martin Guptill had to go back to the pavilion after scoring 28 runs. Afghan spinner Rashid Khan took the wicket of Martin Guptill.
However, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson finished the innings with Devon Conway. Williamson scored 40 runs, and Conway scored 36. Relying on those two, New Zealand won the match in 18 overs and secured a place in the semi-final of this tournament.
