New Zealand defeat Afghanistan by 8 wickets, India crash out of T20 match

New Zealand thus turned the remaining semi-finalist to qualify from Group 2 after Pakistan.

Chasing a modest 125, skipper Kane Williamson (40) and Devon Conway (36) placed on an unbeaten stand of 68 to drive the group residence in 18.1 overs in Abu Dhabi.

The Kiwis be a part of Pakistan as the 2 groups within the semi-finals from Group 2 with eight factors every, leaving India’s closing match in opposition to Namibia on Monday a lifeless rubber.

England and Australia had already made the semi-finals from Group 1.

The semi-final match-ups will likely be determined after Pakistan play Scotland within the second match of the day.

Left-arm fast Trent Boult returned figures of 3-17 from his 4 overs and was ably supported by Tim Southee, who took two wickets, to limit Afghanistan to 124-8.

Najibullah Zadran performed a lone hand along with his 48-ball 73 to present the Afghanistan whole some respectability after they elected to bat first.

New Zealand’s tempo bowlers rattled the opposition´s high order with fast strikes as Adam Milne despatched again Mohammad Shahzad caught behind for 4 in his first over.

Boult received going from the opposite finish to get Hazratullah Zazai out for 2 and Southee trapped Rahmanullah Gurbaz lbw for six as Afghanistan slipped to 19-3.

Zadran counter-attacked with a handful of boundaries together with two off Jimmy Neesham however quickly took to defence after dropping his accomplice Gulbadin Naib for 15.

Naib dragged a large supply from Kiwi leg-spinner Ish Sodhi onto his stumps.

Skipper Mohammad Nabi joined Zadran on the crease because the duo tried to push the scoring in opposition to the spinners and singled out Mitchell Santner for runs.

The left-handed Zadran smashed Santner for 2 sixes and later received to his 50 in a 33 balls. It was his second fifty on this T20 World Cup and sixth general.

Southee broke the 59-run partnership, seeing off Nabi for 14.

Boult received the important thing scalp of Zadran with Neesham taking a great diving catch within the deep and the Afghans struggled to get runs within the closing overs.

New Zealand remained medical of their modest chase with Martin Gutptill and Daryl Mitchell mixing their singles and twos with occasional boundaries.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck with the wicket of Mitchell, caught behind for 17.

Spin king Rashid Khan then despatched again Guptill bowled for 28 to bag his four-hundredth wicket in T20 matches.

However Williamson stood agency with Conway who joined his skipper for a easy partnership that steered the group residence.

The left-hand Conway smashed 4 boundaries and the profitable runs in his 32-ball knock.

Groups
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (capt), Devon Conway (wk), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boul

Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi (capt), Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman