SPORTS

New Zealand wins by 8 wkts to enter semis

New Zealand have entered the semi-final of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after comfortably defeating Afghanistan by eight wickets on Sunday (November 7) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan are already through to the semi-finals from Group 2.

New Zealand’s win has also shattered India’s only chance of making it to the semi-final as Virat Kohli & Co. needed a favour from Afghanistan to enter the last four on the basis of a better run rate as their slim hopes hinged on Afghanistan upstaging the Black Caps. That would have brought the Net Run Rate into equation and opened the doors for India.

New Zealand chased down the small target of 125 with 11 balls to spare to secure a top-2 finish in Group 2 with eight points from five matches.

The win by the Kiwis meant that India — currently with four points from four matches — cannot qualify for the semifinals even if they beat Namibia in their final Super 12 on Monday.

Afghanistan ended their campaign on four points from five matches from which they secured two wins.

Captain Kane Williamson top-scored with an unbeaten 40 while Devon Conway contributed 36 not out.

For Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan took a wicket each.

Earlier, opting to bat, Afghanistan posted 124 for 8.

Najibullah Zadran top-scored for Afghanistan with a 73 while his other team-mates failed to make any substantial contribution.

For New Zealand, Trent Boult took three wickets for 17 runs while Tim Southee got two. Adam Milne, James Neesham and Ish Sodhi also grabbed one wicket each.

England and Australia are already qualified for semifinals from Group 1.

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