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Home » Live Cricket Score » ICC Cricket World Cup, 2019 » Summary

Afghanistan vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, Match 13, ICC Cricket World Cup, 2019, June 8, 2019

AFG 172/10 (41.1)
New Zealand beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets
NZ 173/3 (32.1)
Match over
Commentary :
0.0 : Hello and welcome to the coverage of the second game of the double header! Afghanistan take on New Zealand in Taunton. This is the first game played on this venue this World Cup. Afghanistan would hope a change in venue brings in a change a fortune for them as they need a win here or qualifying into the knockout stage would be very difficult. They though start as second favourites against a Kiwi side which will be eager to make it 3 in 3. Anything other than that can surely be considered as an u
TOSS - Up goes the coin... Kane Williamson calls tails and it lands in his favour. NEW ZEALAND WILL BOWL FIRST!
Kane Williamson says it looks like a fresh and a good wicket and overhead conditions also influences his decision. He hopes to get something out of the wicket first up. Mentions they are expecting a tight match against a fresh side on a new surface and a new ground. States it was nice to get across the line the other night and such things enables them to learn new things. Informs everything is on track and no changes for them today.
Gulbadin Naib says he would have wanted to bat first anyway as it looks a good wicket. They need to play positive cricket and forget what happened in the previous games. Informs they have three changes with Dawlat Zadran is resting, Aftab Alam coming in and then Noor Ali Zadran as well. (Forgets the other names but we have got them for you - Mujeeb goes out for Ikram Ali Khil and Noor Ali Zadran replaces Mohammad Shahzad). Ends by saying they have to start well and then see how it goes.
New Zealand (UNCHANGED PLAYING XI) - Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (WK), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
Afghanistan (PLAYING XI) - Hazratullah Zazai, Noor Ali Zadran (IN FOR MOHAMMAD SHAHZAD), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib (C), Najibullah Zadran, Ikram Ali Khil (WK) (IN FOR MUJEEB UR RAHMAN), Rashid Khan, Aftab Alam (IN FOR DAWLAT ZADRAN), Hamid Hassan.
The teams are out for their respective National Anthems!
The national anthems are done and dusted and we are ready for the game to begin. The Kiwis get into a huddle. Out come the Afghan openers. Noor Ali Zadran and Hazrat Zazai. Matt Henry it will be to start with the first new ball.
0.1 : M Henry to H Zazai, Starts off right on the money! Length and on off, Zazai defends it onto the ground.
0.2 : M Henry to H Zazai, Another length delivery and on off, no sign of swing early on. Zazai easily keeps it out.
0.3 : M Henry to H Zazai, FOUR! Off the mark in style is Zazai! Short and on the body, Zazai helps it on its way to the fine leg fence. First of the game. Poor delivery after two good balls.
0.4 : M Henry to H Zazai, EDGY FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Fortunate one. Length and outside off, Zazai hangs his bat out but the ball flies off the outside edge and goes over the first slip fielder for a boundary.
0.5 : M Henry to H Zazai, FOUR! Hammered! This is right off the middle. Short and on middle, Zazai hangs back and powers the pull past mid-wicket and the ball races away. Three in a row!
0.6 : M Henry to H Zazai, BEATEN! A good nut to end but a good first over for Afghanistan! Length on off and it moves away after pitching. Zazai hangs his bat out again and gets beaten.
Trent Boult to bowl with the second new ball.
1.1 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Nothing much first up. Full and just outside off, angling away, left alone.
1.2 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Landed outside off, Noor Ali looks to defend but then wants to leave at the last moment. The ball goes off the outside edge past the second slip fielder towards third man. A single taken.
1.3 : T Boult to H Zazai, Full and down the leg side, flicked towards fine leg for a run.
1.4 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Landed outside off, pushed through the covers for a couple.
1.5 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, On a good length around leg, tucked towards short mid-wicket.
1.6 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Full and around off, pushed towards mid off.
2.1 : M Henry to H Zazai, Length delivery outside off, Zazai plays it to point.
2.2 : M Henry to H Zazai, A short ball, around middle, Zazai pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
2.3 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, On a good length around off, comes back in, Zadran looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball goes to second slip.
2.4 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, On a good length on off, Noor Ali defends it off the back foot.
2.5 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, Pushes this through point for a single.
2.6 : M Henry to H Zazai, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
3.1 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, On a good length around middle, Noor Ali pats it to the off side.
3.2 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Very full outside off, almost a yorker, Zadran looks to drive but misses.
3.3 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
3.4 : T Boult to H Zazai, Landed around off, pushed towards cover.
3.5 : T Boult to H Zazai, Very full and around middle, swinging in, Hazratuullah misses his flick and the ball hits him on the pads off the inside edge. An LBW appeal ensues but nothing in it.
3.6 : T Boult to H Zazai, Full and outside off, Zazai swings hard but totally misses the ball.
4.1 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, FOUR! Top shot. Full on middle, Noor Ali drives this straight down the ground and beats mid on!
4.2 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, Full on off, Zadran plays it towards covers for a quick single.
4.3 : M Henry to H Zazai, High, high, high, but safe! Lucky escape for Zazai. A length ball outside off, Hazrat swings hard but mishits it massively. The ball swirls in the air and mid-wicket and square leg run back but neither get there! It goes towards deep mid-wicket where Colin de Grandhomme and James Neesham both go for the catch but it falls in no man's land. Two runs taken.
4.4 : M Henry to H Zazai, He knows only one way to play.
4.5 : M Henry to H Zazai, DROPPED! Well, well, well. Zazai gets a life. A length ball, outside off, Zazai swings hard but only gets a top edge this time. Two men run after it - Martin Guptill from mid on and Colin de Grandhomme from mid-wicket. The latter goes for the catch but there is no calling. He gets there first but then puts it down. Guptill is furious with CdG regarding the calling and rightly so! Two runs taken.
4.6 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, Full and around off, watchfully defended to the off side. 8 runs have come from the over.
5.1 : T Boult to H Zazai, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
5.2 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Outside off, left alone.
5.3 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, FOUR! Full and outside off, Noor Ali drives this through mid off for a boundary!
5.4 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Landed outside off, a play and a miss.
5.5 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
5.6 : T Boult to H Zazai, The batsman has played it to the point region.
6.1 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
6.2 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, FOUR! Full and on middle, Noor Ali flicks this uppishly wide of short mid-wicket for a boundary!
6.3 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, Around off, defended from the crease.
6.4 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, Landed outside off, played straight to point.
6.5 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
6.6 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, Outside off, played straight to point.
7.1 : T Boult to H Zazai, Landed outside off, left alone.
7.2 : T Boult to H Zazai, EDGED, DROPPED AGAIN! Zazai is living a charmed life. On a length around middle, Hazrat looks to flick but the ball takes the leading edge and goes behind. Ross Taylor at first slip leaps, goes at it with one hand but cannot quite take it. The ball lobs but wide of him. A run taken towards fine leg.
7.3 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Outside off, a play and a miss now.
7.4 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, A bouncer on middle, Zadran ducks.
7.5 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Another bouncer, ducked under again. Second for the over, signals the umpire.
7.6 : T Boult to Ali Zadran, Landed outside off, a touch fuller, pushed through point for a run.
8.1 : M Henry to Ali Zadran, Landed outside off, played through point for a single.
8.2 : M Henry to H Zazai, SIX! HUMONGOUS! That is a Zazai special. He has announced himself. A short ball, around off, Hazrat swings and deposits this into the mid-wicket stands for half a dozen! And he has forced the umpires to get a new ball because this one is gone.
Change in field now. Williamson going with a ring on the off side. Backward point, point, cover, extra cover and mid off.
8.3 : M Henry to H Zazai, Outside off, a flash and a miss as HZ looks to go over mid off.
8.4 : M Henry to H Zazai, FOUR! He is timing them well now. Fractionally short, outside off, Zazai slams this over cover and gets a boundary. 50 UP FOR AFGHANISTAN. That is a solid start.
8.5 : M Henry to H Zazai, Outside off, a play and a miss. He is alternating between connecting and missing. The swinging continues.
8.6 : M Henry to H Zazai, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single. Poor running. There was two available. The fielder had to run a long way to his right. 12 from the over!
Lockie Ferguson into the attack now.
9.1 : L Ferguson to H Zazai, FOUR! Poor bowling. On a length on leg, Zazai flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.
9.2 : L Ferguson to H Zazai, On a length on leg, Zazai looks to flick but gets it off his pads. It goes towards fine leg for a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.
9.3 : L Ferguson to Ali Zadran, BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Noor Ali looks to defend but misses it due to the away movement on this one.
9.4 : L Ferguson to Ali Zadran, Bowls a short delivery outside off, Noor Ali lets it go.
9.5 : L Ferguson to Ali Zadran, FOUR! Terrific shot. Full and outside off, Noor Ali drives it through point for a boundary.
9.6 : L Ferguson to Ali Zadran, On a length on middle, Noor Ali flicks it towards square leg for a single. 10 runs have come from the over. Big over for Afghanistan.
POWERPLAY 2 time. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over. Jimmy Neesham into the attack. Ramiz Raja wants a spinner to be introduced as Zazai does not move his feet against spin.
10.1 : J Neesham to Ali Zadran, On a good length outside off, Noor Ali feels for it but the ball kicks off the surface and beats the outside edge.
10.2 : J Neesham to Ali Zadran, FOUR! Wow. What a shot. Afghanistan have been red-hot with the bat today. Full and outside off, Noor Ali drives this straight down the ground and beats mid off!
10.3 : J Neesham to Ali Zadran, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
10.4 : J Neesham to Ali Zadran, Around middle and leg, tucked to the leg side for a single.
10.5 : J Neesham to H Zazai, OUT! Straight to the man! Pretty needless but that is how he plays. He has done the hard work, seen off the new balls and then thrown it away with a soft dismissal. Full and wide outside off, Hazrat reaches out and lofts it over point. There is no problem with that shot but there is a fielder in the deep. And it goes straight to him. Colin Munro at sweeper takes it easily. End of a fantastic 66-run opening stand.
Rahmat Shah walks in at number 3, replacing Zazai. For a change, he walks out after a foundation being set.
10.6 : J Neesham to R Shah, That is a brute. On a good length outside off, Rahmat looks to defend but the ball goes past the outside edge. Extra bounce defeated him. 5 runs and a wicket from the over.
11.1 : L Ferguson to Ali Zadran, OUT! Caught down the leg side! Two wickets in the span of three balls. A short ball, down the leg side, Noor Ali looks to tuck but ends up hitting it off the face of the bat straight to the keeper! This is an unfortunate dismissal but then you have got to put these away. Not a wicket-taking delivery, was it?
0.0 : Hashmatullah Shahidi walks in at number 4, replacing Noor Ali.
11.2 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, On a good length on middle, Shah plays it towards the leg side.
11.3 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, Bowls a sharp bumper, Rahmat does well to duck under it.
11.4 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, Another bouncer, Shahidi does well to duck under it.
11.5 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, On a good length on off, Shah defends it out.
11.6 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, BEATEN! Beauty of a delivery from Lockie. Bowls a good length delivery just outside off, it rises off the deck, Shah looks to play inside the line but misses it due to the seam movement on this one. A wicket-maiden over from Ferguson.
12.1 : J Neesham to R Shah, Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
12.2 : J Neesham to R Shah, Outside off, left alone.
12.3 : J Neesham to R Shah, OUT! Leading edge and taken! On a good length outside off, coming in, Rahmat looks to defend but gets squared up. The ball goes off the leading edge and Martin Guptill takes it easily to his left at backward point.
Gulbadin Naib walks in at number 5, replacing Rahmat.
12.4 : J Neesham to G Naib, Landed outside off, defended from the crease.
12.5 : J Neesham to G Naib, A short ball around off, Naib leaps and taps it to the leg side.
12.6 : J Neesham to G Naib, FOUR! IMPERIOUS! A length ball, around off, Naib hammers it straight back over mid on and finds the boundary! 4/2 in the last 2 overs!
13.1 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, A length ball around off, pushed to the off side.
13.2 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, A bouncer now, Shahidi ducks.
13.3 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, On a good length and outside off, Shahidi shoulders his arms to this one.
13.4 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, Play and a miss! Bowls it on a good length and outside off, Shahidi looks to fend at this one but misses it.
13.5 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, On a good length on off, Shahidi defends it out.
13.6 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, Good length delivery on middle, Shahidi defends it off the back foot. Consecutive maiden over from Lockie Ferguson.
Naib has been adjudged caught behind! But he is not going anywhere. He has immediately taken the review. Seems like a massive movement. Was it just swing? Oh dear... there is a spike. This might be a waste of a review.
14.1 : J Neesham to G Naib, OUT! Caught behind! Indeed a massive spike and this is a real waste of a review from the captain. A length ball outside off, moving away, Naib swings hard and the ball deflects behind to the keeper. It is pretty hard to say from the naked eye but umpire Aleem Dar raises his finger! Naib immediately takes the review but Ultra Edge detects a spike when the ball passes the toe end of the bat. He has to go.
0.0 : DRINKS BREAK. Mohammad Nabi walks in at number 6, replacing his skipper.
14.2 : J Neesham to M Nabi, Landed outside off, defended solidly.
14.3 : J Neesham to M Nabi, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
14.4 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Around off, pushed to the off side.
14.5 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Landed outside off, solidly defended.
14.6 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, On a good length outside off, moving away, Shahidi pushes but misses.
15.1 : L Ferguson to M Nabi, On middle, flicked to leg gully.
15.2 : L Ferguson to M Nabi, Pitched outside off, Left alone by the batsman.
15.3 : L Ferguson to M Nabi, Length delivery outside off, Nabi lifts his bat and lets the ball go through to the keeper.
15.4 : L Ferguson to M Nabi, Three leaves on the trot! Nabi is not willing to fish with any delivery outside off. He is happy to leave it.
15.5 : L Ferguson to M Nabi, BEATEN! Nabi looks to drive this length ball outside off, but with cement feet he is not able to reach to the pitch of the ball but goes through the shot. The ball passes the outside edge.
15.6 : L Ferguson to M Nabi, Bouncer outside off, Nabi does well to drop his wrists and sways away from the line of the delivery. Third maiden on the trot for Ferguson.
Colin de Grandhomme comes into the attack.
16.1 : de Grandhomme to H Shahidi, On a length on off, Shahidi plays it to point.
16.2 : de Grandhomme to H Shahidi, On a good length on off, Shahidi plays it to point again.
16.3 : de Grandhomme to H Shahidi, Full and outside off, Shahidi looks to drive but gets it off the inner half of the bat. It goes to mid on.
16.4 : de Grandhomme to H Shahidi, On a good length on off, Shahidi defends it off the back foot.
16.5 : de Grandhomme to H Shahidi, Length delivery on off, the left-hander pushes it to covers.
16.6 : de Grandhomme to H Shahidi, Ironic cheers around the ground as Shahidi gets off the mark at last! Full and outside off, Shahidi drives it towards wide mid off for a single. Just 1 run from the over.
Change of ends for Jimmy Neesham. 3-0-10-3 so far.
17.1 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
17.2 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, BEATEN! A swing and a miss, Neesham bowls one outside off and Shahidi looks to cut this through point but in the end connects with thin air.
17.3 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Length ball on off, defended back to bowler.
17.4 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, BEATEN AGAIN! Shahidi is looking unsettled against Neesham there. Again a length ball outside off, Shahidi looks to cut but doesn't connect this time and the ball passes the outside edge.
17.5 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Length ball defended watchfully off the back foot.
17.6 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Length ball outside off defended to covers. A maiden over.
18.1 : de Grandhomme to M Nabi, On a good length on off, Nabi defends it off the front foot.
18.2 : de Grandhomme to M Nabi, Length delivery on off, Nabi drives it towards covers for a single.
18.3 : de Grandhomme to H Shahidi, Play and a miss! Good length delivery outside off, Shahidi comes forward to defend this one but misses it due to the away movement on this one.
18.4 : de Grandhomme to H Shahidi, FOUR! Excellent shot. Short and outside off, Shahidi cuts it through point for a boundary.
18.5 : de Grandhomme to H Shahidi, Length delivery outside off, Shahidi dabs it towards third man where the fielder collects the ball and slips. The batsmen still take only a single.
18.6 : de Grandhomme to M Nabi, Length delivery outside off, Nabi guides it towards third man for a single.
19.1 : J Neesham to M Nabi, Fuller one on the stumps, Nabi flicks it to fine leg. A run added to the total.
19.2 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Neesham bowls one way outside off, Shahidi looks uninterested to play.
19.3 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Pitching on a length and outside off, Shahidi leaves it for keeper to gobble it.
19.4 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Shahidi tucks this length ball on the pads behind square for a single.
19.5 : J Neesham to M Nabi, Length ball defended back to the bowler.
19.6 : J Neesham to M Nabi, WIDE! Neesham sprays one down the leg side and umpire signals wide.
J Neesham to M Nabi, Up and over, just eludes the fielder at mid off! Neesham bowls on fuller length and outside off, Nabi says enough is enough and lofts it straight over the bowler's head and eludes the man at mid off. The ball does a somersault there it bounces near the ropes and instead of going past it comes back in! Magical moment! And with it rains also come to say hello. The batsmen cross for a couple.
This was coming. It was heavily overcast and the forecast was there for some showers and they have arrived. The good thing is that it has almost come down to a drizzle. The skies are clearing up as well. May not be a long delay. Plenty of breeze blowing across, so the ground staff is finding it difficult to bring the covers on.
1520 local update - The skies have cleared up and the covers are off! Play is set to begin at 3.30 PM local (1430 GMT).
We are ready to begin. Plenty of breeze blowing across and not a rainy cloud in the sky. The players make their way out to the middle once more. Here is Colin de Grandhomme.
20.1 : de Grandhomme to H Shahidi, FOUR! Terrific shot after the break! Full and outside off, Shahidi drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.
0.0 : Change of angle. Colin switches to over the wicket.
20.2 : de Grandhomme to H Shahidi, Short and outside off, Shahidi cuts it through point for a single.
20.3 : de Grandhomme to M Nabi, Good length delivery on middle, Nabi pushes it to mid on.
20.4 : de Grandhomme to M Nabi, Full on off, Nabi plays it to covers.
20.5 : de Grandhomme to M Nabi, On a good length on middle, Nabi defends it off the back foot.
20.6 : de Grandhomme to M Nabi, Full and outside off, Nabi drives it to point.
21.1 : J Neesham to M Nabi, Length delivery outside off, defended to covers.
21.2 : J Neesham to M Nabi, WIDE! Bowls a bouncer down the leg side. Umpire penalizes with a wide.
J Neesham to M Nabi, Misfield from de Grandhomme! Nearly concedes a boundary but recovers at the right time. Short of a length outside off, Nabi slaps it between cover and point. Colin de Grandhomme runs across to his right from third man but while sliding, he just misses the ball slightly. It rolls back but he manages to stop it before it touches the ropes. A couple added to the total.
It has gone overcast again...
21.3 : J Neesham to M Nabi, Nabi looks to flick it through leg side but gets hit on the pads and the batsman cross for a leg bye.
21.4 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Nabi leaves this length ball outside off and the keeper does the rest.
21.5 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, FOUR LEG BYES! Poor delivery from Neesham. Full on leg, Shahidi looks to tickle it down but gets it off his pads. The ball beats the keeper's dive to his right and races away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.
21.6 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Shahidi drives this length ball through point for a single.
Trent Boult is back into the attack.
22.1 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Bowls a bouncer, Shahidi does well to duck under it.
22.2 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Length delivery on off, Shahidi plays it to point.
1440 GMT - Oh dear... the rain has come again. This is pretty frustrating for the players. It is never good for anyone to keep coming in and going off as it is not easy to be switched on and off. Off go the players again and this time it is an even darker cloud. In fact, it is a massive mass. The rain is very heavy and the delay looks to be a bit longer than the previous one.
1455 GMT UPDATE - Good news! We have a resumption at 4.05 pm local (1505 GMT)! No overs lost. Only the innings break has been cut down to 25 minutes.
Welcome back! We are ready to resume but the fear stays that the rain is not far away. One side of the ground is bathed in sunshine while the other has plenty of dark clouds coming.
Even before we get the ball to be bowled, we have to get it changed. It has gone out of shape and the fourth umpire is out, with a box of replacement balls. Here is Trent Boult to continue...
22.3 : T Boult to H Shahidi, On a good length on off, Shahidi plays it to point.
22.4 : T Boult to H Shahidi, 100 up for Afghanistan. Length delivery on off, Shahidi looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a single.
22.5 : T Boult to M Nabi, Short delivery, Nabi does well to keep it out.
22.6 : T Boult to M Nabi, Good length delivery on off, Nabi defends it off the back foot. Just 1 run from the over.
23.1 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, FOUR! The field is off-side packed and Neesham bowls it down the leg side. Tickled towards fine leg.
23.2 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Short ball outside off, Shahidi slaps it through covers for a run.
23.3 : J Neesham to M Nabi, OUT! Caught behind! A wicket after a break. Neesham corrects his line and length. He bowls a scrambled-seam delivery outside off, Nabi was in two minds whether to play or leave but ultimately plays it but can only edge it back to the keeper. Good bowling display from Jimmy Neesham.
Najibullah Zadran is the new man in.
23.4 : J Neesham to N Zadran, Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
23.5 : J Neesham to N Zadran, FOUR! Nicely played. Short and outside off, Najibullah gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the covers!
23.6 : J Neesham to N Zadran, OUT! Caught behind! Second in the over and Neesham has his 50th ODI wicket. A short ball, around middle and off, extra bounce, Najibullah has a nibble at that. The ball moves away, he rises with the bounce but it is too difficult for him. Takes the glove and Latham gets his fourth catch of the innings! Neesham's figures read 7-1-28-5!
Ikram Ali Khil walks in at number 8. He is the replacement for Mohammad Shahzad. 18 years of age and touted to be of prodigious talent.
24.1 : T Boult to H Shahidi, FOUR! That is a terrific ball. Full and swinging in, almost a yorker, clipped towards mid-wicket.
24.2 : T Boult to H Shahidi, BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Shahidi looks to defend but misses it due to the seam movement on this one.
24.3 : T Boult to H Shahidi, On a length on middle, Shahidi flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.
24.4 : T Boult to Ali Khil, Good length delivery on off, Ikram defends it off the back foot.
24.5 : T Boult to Ali Khil, Full on middle, Ikram drives it straight past the bowler towards mid on.
24.6 : T Boult to Ali Khil, Short delivery outside off, Ikram lets it go.
25.1 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Full and around off, watchfully defended.
25.2 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
25.3 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Landed outside off, angling away, left alone.
25.4 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Full and around off, driven towards mid off.
25.5 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Late again. A short ball, around off, Shahidi initially thinks of leaving that alone but then at the last moment, attempts the late cut. Is really late on the shot and gets beaten.
25.6 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Outside off, tapped towards point for a single.
Matt Henry returns. 5-0-38-0 so far. Chance to improve his figures.
26.1 : M Henry to H Shahidi, FOUR! Welcome back into the attack! Terrific shot! Henry bowls a length delivery outside off, Shahidi drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.
26.2 : M Henry to H Shahidi, Bowls a bouncer, Shahidi does well to duck under it.
26.3 : M Henry to H Shahidi, Good length delivery on off, Shahidi looks to defend but gets an inside edge and gets hit on the box.
26.4 : M Henry to H Shahidi, Length delivery outside off, Shahidi plays it to off side.
26.5 : M Henry to H Shahidi, Length delivery outside off, Shahidi slaps it towards covers for a single.
26.6 : M Henry to Ali Khil, On a good length on off, Ali Khil defends it off the back foot.
STAT ALERT - Jimmy Neesham becomes only the 5th Kiwi bowler to take a 5-wicket haul in an ODI World Cup!
27.1 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Landed around off, Shahidi guides it behind point for a single.
27.2 : J Neesham to Ali Khil, Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
27.3 : J Neesham to Ali Khil, That is a terrific stop. Mitchell Santner is the man. Full and outside off, Ali Khil drives it through the covers and the ball races away but Santner throws himself to his right and stops it!
27.4 : J Neesham to Ali Khil, A short ball, just around off, Ikram looks to fend but the ball rises steeply and beats the outside edge.
27.5 : J Neesham to Ali Khil, Landed outside off, left alone.
27.6 : J Neesham to Ali Khil, Full and around off, watchfully defended to the off side. Just a run from the miserly Neesham.
28.1 : M Henry to H Shahidi, INSIDE EDGE, FOUR! Not far from the leg stump. Fortuitous for Shahidi. Full on middle and leg, Shahidi looks to drive but gets an inside edge. It goes just past the leg stump towards fine leg for a boundary.
28.2 : M Henry to H Shahidi, Full again on off, Shahidi plays it to covers.
28.3 : M Henry to H Shahidi, Bowls a bumper, Shahidi does well to duck under it.
28.4 : M Henry to H Shahidi, Short and outside off, Shahidi cuts it through cover-point. The batsmen cross ends.
28.5 : M Henry to Ali Khil, Full on off, Ali Khil plays it to point.
28.6 : M Henry to Ali Khil, Good length delivery on off, Ali Khil plays it off the back foot.
29.1 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Outside off, left alone.
29.2 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Landed outside off, let through once again.
29.3 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, Landed around middle, defended from the crease.
29.4 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, One more leave outside off.
29.5 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
29.6 : J Neesham to H Shahidi, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. Sensational outing for Jimmy Neesham - 10-1-31-5. His best figures in ODIs.
30.1 : M Henry to H Shahidi, Outside off, punched towards point.
30.2 : M Henry to H Shahidi, Length delivery outside off, Shahidi plays it towards point where Guptill does well to stop it with one hand to his right. Excellent fielding from him.
30.3 : M Henry to H Shahidi, On a length on middle, Shahidi flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
30.4 : M Henry to Ali Khil, Bowls a bouncer, Ali Khil looks to pull but misses it. It was way over his head.
30.5 : M Henry to Ali Khil, Length delivery on off, Ali Khil plays it to point.
30.6 : M Henry to Ali Khil, EDGED, DROPPED AGAIN! Ross Taylor it is once more. Short delivery outside off, Ali Khil looks to cut but gets an outside edge. It goes towards Ross Taylor who jumps and tries to take it with one hand but spills it. In the process, the batsmen take a single.
Lockie Ferguson returns. 4-3-9-1 so far. Strong fellow, hits the pitch hard and bowls at a very good pace.
31.1 : L Ferguson to Ali Khil, On a good length around off, pushed towards cover.
31.2 : L Ferguson to Ali Khil, That is a snorter. Lockie bends his back, lands it on a length outside off, Ali Khil looks to defend but the ball beats the outside edge.
31.3 : L Ferguson to Ali Khil, Fuller this time, driven towards cover.
31.4 : L Ferguson to Ali Khil, Ooohhh... close call. A length ball, around middle, Ali Khil taps it to the leg side and sets off for a quick single. Shahidi is a bit late to respond and Colin Munro quickly gets across from short mid-wicket. However, the ball is to his left and that, surprisingly, is his weak hand while throwing. He bats left-handed but bowls and throws right-handed. The throw barely reaches the stumps as Shahidi dives in.
31.5 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, The batsman does well to stand tall and play that short delivery.
31.6 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, Cuts him into half. A length ball outside off, Shahidi looks to push it through the off side but the ball snakes back in and goes between bat and pad to miss the off stump narrowly.
Colin de Grandhomme is back on. 3-0-14-0 so far.
32.1 : de Grandhomme to Ali Khil, Tucks it towards the leg side.
32.2 : de Grandhomme to Ali Khil, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
32.3 : de Grandhomme to Ali Khil, Length delivery on off, Ali Khil plays it to point.
32.4 : de Grandhomme to Ali Khil, OUT! Straight to point! Catching practice. Ikram's longgggg vigil ends, 2 from 22 balls and Afghanistan are now 7 down. Full and outside off, Ali Khil drives it straight to point where Martin Guptill takes a simple catch. Shahidi is running out of partners here. It was a poor shot selection from Ikram Ali Khil.
Rashid Khan walks in at number 9, replacing Ikram.
32.5 : de Grandhomme to R Khan, On a good length on off, Khan plays it to covers.
32.6 : de Grandhomme to R Khan, Full and outside off, Khan drives it to covers where the fielder does well to stop it with a dive. A wicket-maiden over from Colin de Grandhomme.
33.1 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, A bouncer, around off, Shahidi ducks.
33.2 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, Outside off, on a length, steered behind point for a single.
33.3 : L Ferguson to R Khan, Outside off, on a length, steered behind point for a single.
33.4 : L Ferguson to R Khan, OUT! Onto the helmet and then onto the stumps! That is a brutal delivery. And poor Rashid Khan. He looks totally non-plussed. There are a few concerns and everyone is checking on him now. The helmet slowly comes off and Rashid takes some time for himself. Out comes the physio. A good length ball outside off, Khan does not pick it and looks to defend with his head pointing downwards. His misjudgement of the length proves costly because one reckons that he was expecting
DRINKS BREAK. Aftab Alam is the new man in.
33.5 : L Ferguson to A Alam, FOUR! Ho ho ho! Love to watch numbers 10 and 11 bat. A length ball, outside off, Aftab backs away and crashes it wide of mid off for a boundary!
33.6 : L Ferguson to A Alam, Goes again, exposing all his stumps but this time Lockie follows him down the leg side. Alam is cramped for room as he looks to pull but mistimes it back to the bowler.
Trent Boult returns. 6-0-19-0 so far. Can he finish the innings off?
34.1 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Short delivery, Shahidi pulls it towards the leg side for a single.
34.2 : T Boult to A Alam, Boult bowls a good bouncer, Alam lets it sail through to the keeper.
34.3 : T Boult to A Alam, Full and outside off, Alam drives it through covers for a single.
34.4 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Bowls a perfect yorker on middle, Shahidi manages to dig it out. It goes towards slips for a single.
34.5 : T Boult to A Alam, Short delivery, Alam looks to pull but misses it.
34.6 : T Boult to A Alam, Length delivery outside off, Alam guides it towards third man for a single.
35.1 : L Ferguson to A Alam, FOUR! Just wide! A short ball, around off, Alam backs away and swats it wide of a diving mid on for a boundary!
35.2 : L Ferguson to A Alam, FOUR! Off the top edge this time! A short ball again, around middle, Aftab looks to pull but gets a top edge which flies over the keeper. There is a third man who is very, very fine, but the ball lands even finer, just inside of the ropes.
35.3 : L Ferguson to A Alam, A length ball this time, AA has a heave-ho but misses.
35.4 : L Ferguson to A Alam, OUT! Nice swirling catch to end Aftab's hit-and-miss cameo. Latham's fifth catch of this innings. A length ball again, Alam looks to continue his mission of sending every ball to Mars. Gets another top edge which swirls high in thee air. Tom Latham circles under it and from the corner of his right eye, he is able to see third man come in. But he keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a fantastic catch to his right. Third wicket for Ferguson.
Hamid Hassan walks in as the last man. How much can this last pair add?
35.5 : L Ferguson to H Hassan, FOUR! That is a solid jab! Very full, on middle, Hamid just gets his bat down in time and pushes it wide of mid on. There is no one at the long on fence and the ball races away.
35.6 : L Ferguson to H Hassan, Nice shot. A short ball, Hamid pulls it through square leg. There is no one sweeping the leg side and by the time someone from the infield gets to it, two runs are taken.
36.1 : T Boult to H Shahidi, On a good length on off, Shahidi plays it off the back foot.
36.2 : T Boult to H Shahidi, TOP EDGE, FOUR! Wide of third man. Boult bowls a short of a length delivery, Shahidi looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes over the keeper towards third man for a boundary.
36.3 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Full on off, Shahidi plays it towards mid off.
36.4 : T Boult to H Shahidi, BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Shahidi looks to drive but misses it.
36.5 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Full on middle, Shahidi looks to play a big shot but gets it off the toe end of the bat. It goes towards mid on.
36.6 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Length delivery on middle, Shahidi drives it towards mid on for a single and keeps strike for the next over.
37.1 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, FOUR! Half century for Shahidi! The first one to do so in this innings. Gets there in a bit fortunate manner. Full and around off, Shahid gives himself some room and swings hard but ends up dragging it wide of mid on. His 8th half century in ODIs. Fine knock, but unfortunately had no support from the other end.
37.2 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, Backs away down the leg side, Ferguson follows him with a length ball, Hashmatullah swings hard but misses.
37.3 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, Now this is outside off and HS looks to run it down to third man but misses.
37.4 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, Full and fast, at the stumps, Shahidi just about gets his bat down in time and ekes out an outside edge towards third man. A run taken.
37.5 : L Ferguson to H Hassan, A short ball, on middle, Hamid swings hard but misses.
37.6 : L Ferguson to H Hassan, Another short ball, at the body, Hassan looks to tuck it away but gets hit on the gloves.
38.1 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Bowls a bouncer, Shahidi does well to quickly duck under it and slips in the process.
38.2 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Play and a miss! Boult bowls a short delivery outside off, Shahidi looks to play an upper cut but gets beaten.
38.3 : T Boult to H Shahidi, BEATEN AGAIN! Bowls a short delivery again, Shahidi again looks to play an upper cut but misses it.
38.4 : T Boult to H Shahidi, FOUR! Poor delivery from Trent Boult. Low full toss on middle, Shahidi flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
38.5 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Bowls a bumper, Shahidi does well to duck under it.
38.6 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Short delivery on leg, Shahidi looks to pull but gets an inside edge onto this pads. It goes towards the leg side for a single.
A slight delay. That last ball has hit Hashmatullah on the hips and he seems to be in pain. The physio has come out. A couple of tablets are popped in and Hashmatullah is ready to go.
39.1 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, Full and outside off, Shahidi looks to drive but mistimes it towards cover.
39.2 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, A short ball now, Hashmatullah looks to pull but misses.
39.3 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, A short ball, down the leg side, HS tucks it through square leg for a single.
39.4 : L Ferguson to H Hassan, A short ball again, Hamid looks to heave but misses.
39.5 : L Ferguson to H Hassan, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.
39.6 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, Outside off, played through point for a run.
POWERPLAY 3 time. 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle now.
40.1 : T Boult to H Shahidi, Short and outside off, Shahidi makes room and smashes it through covers for a single.
40.2 : T Boult to H Hassan, Nice and full on middle, Hassan defends it off the back foot.
40.3 : T Boult to H Hassan, Short of a length delivery, Hassan looks to fend at it but misses it.
40.4 : T Boult to H Hassan, Full on off, Hassan plays it to covers.
40.5 : T Boult to H Hassan, Full and outside off, Hamid slices it to point.
40.6 : T Boult to H Hassan, Good length delivery outside off, Hassan shoulders his arms to this one.
41.1 : L Ferguson to H Shahidi, OUT! A fine catch to end the innings at last. A length ball, around middle and leg, Shahidi swings hard but only manages a top edge. The ball flies down to third man where Matt Henry initially does not pick it but then comes running in and takes a decent catch. The umpires check for the overstepping but Lockie is fine. AFGHANISTAN BOWLED OUT FOR 172!
Decent comeback by New Zealand after going for plenty in Powerplay 1. They choked the Afghans and the latter could barely recover. From 66/0, they have squandered away their position of strength to lose 10 wickets for just 106 runs.
The innings began like no one expected. The conditions were slightly overcast and one felt that the likes of Trent Boult and Matt Henry would blow the Afghans away. But what happened was the contrary. Both struggled with their lines and lengths and got carted all around the park. The fielding did not help them either with the Kiwis messing up quite a few simple opportunities.
Just when it seemed like it may not be New Zealand's day, in came Jimmy Neesham. The batsmen probably thought he can be taken for runs and decided to play some carefree cricket. That was exactly what Neesham wanted. He ran through the middle order, along with Ferguson and the duo's combined figures read 19.1-4-68-9 with Colin de Grandhomme taking a solitary wicket. A special mention for Tom Latham as well, who took 5 catches.
Another opportunity missed by the Afghans. The deck was a good one to bat on and they got a good start as well but could not quite capitalize on it. One of their main men, Rahmat Shah, who likes to bat long, fell early and that hit them hard. Also, the two rain breaks hurt them, because it broke their concentration, not allowing them to have a settled time in the middle and the pitch quickened up as well. Only four men reached double digits.
Jimmy Neesham is having a chat with Pommie Mbangwa. Neesham says that he was only to hit the deck as hard as possible. Admits that he did not bowl that well in the first two games. Adds that Afghanistan tested them in the first 10 overs and is happy that he passed the test successfully. On the pitch, Jimmy reckons that it is a good one to bat on, though it might have quickened up due to the showers. On the target, Neesham says that the Kiwi side bats very deep and should chase this down comforta
173 to win then. What are the questions in your mind? Will New Zealand canter to a win inside 30 overs? Or will Afghanistan fight it out? The answer will be given in a short while.