Najeeb’s 73 in Vain as Afghanistan ended their run at the T20WC2021

Trent Boult took 3/17, Tim Southee picked 2/24 & Kane Williamson scored unbeaten 40 off 42 balls to take the Black Caps home comprehensively by 8 wickets & book themselves a place in the knockouts of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. 

Earlier in the afternoon, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi won the toss and opted to bat first. Afghan openers made a watchful start but soon with the introduction of Adam Milne into the attack, Mohammad Shahzad was sent back to the dugout with a fiery bouncer as he tried to uppercut one over the slips to the third-man boundary but got an edge off the toe end of the bat straight into the gloves of Devon Conway. 

Hazratullah Zazai, also followed him 5 balls later as he wanted to flick a quick short delivery from Trent Boult into the leg side but got a leading edge to Mitchell Santner at midwicket for only 2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz then wanted to flick a full and straight delivery from Tim Southee but was struck in front for only 6 (9). Gulbadin Naib was ticking around nicely before dragging a short and wide delivery from Ish Sodhi onto his stumps for 15 (18).

Mohammad Nabi joined Najeebullah Zadran at 6, as they both shared 59 runs in between them for the fifth wicket. Mohammad Nabi fell for 15 as he backed away and wanted to heave one over the bowler’s head but was beaten by pace and slammed it back to the bowler who didn’t make a mistake. 

Najeebullah Zadran made the most part of the Afghanistan’s total as he struck his 6th half century in the format, scoring 73 runs off just 48 balls including 6 fours and 3 massive sixes. Afghanistan was reduced to 124/8 in their allotted 20 overs, with Trent Boult taking 3/17, Tim Southee picking 2/24 and Adam Milne, James Neesham and Ish Sodhi sharing 3 wicket between them for NZ. 

In response, NZ made a solid start but Daryl Mitchell was removed by Mujeeb ur Rahman in 4th over, as he nicked one behind to Mohammad Shahzad for 17 (12). Nearly 6 overs later, Rashid Khan went through the defenses of Martin Guptill for 28. Devon Conway joined Kane Williamson at 4 and both shared 68 runs in between them to see New Zealand home by 8 wickets. 

Kane Williamson anchored his inning nicely and made almost run a ball 40* off 42 balls. Devon Conway also did contribute nicely with a brisk 36 off 32 balls including 4 boundaries to help his team book a place at the Semi Finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. Trent Boult, who bowled well and picked up 3/17 out of his 4 overs, was adjudged as the player of the match. With this happening, Afghanistan’s run at this year’s ICC T20 World Cup came to an end, with 2 wins out the 5 games they have played in the Super 12s stage of the event. They finished 4th on the table behind Pakistan, New Zealand and India.