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New Zealand vs Afghanistan Live Commentary, Super 12 - Match 40, ICC World Twenty20, 2021, November 7, 2021

AFG 124/8 (20)
New Zealand beat Afghanistan by 8 wickets
NZ 125/2 (18.1)
Match over
Afghanistan Inning New Zealand Inning
0.0 : ....Match Day....
Just the three games left of the Super 12s but one has to say, this one is probably the most important game of the remaining ones. By the end of this game, we will find out which is the 4th team to make it through. India, New Zealand and Afghanistan, all three have a chance. The equation for the Kiwis is quite simple, win and go through. For Afghanistan, it is a bit complicated as even if they do beat the Kiwis, they’ll be dependent on India’s result in the last game of the Super 12. India o
Afghanistan played really well initially in the tournament but against, India, they suffered a very heavy defeat. It will be interesting to see if they have got over it. They are up against New Zealand who have been really professional in this tournament and are favourites heading into this game. Will we see another professional performance from them or do Afghanistan have it in them to get over the line?
TOSS UPDATE - Kane Williamson and Mohammad Nabi are out in the middle for the all-important toss. The coin goes up and lands in favour of the latter. Afghanistan have elected to BAT first.
Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad (WK), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi (C), Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (In for Sharafuddin Ashraf).
New Zealand (Unchanged Playing XI) - Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (C), Devon Conway (WK), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult.
Kane Williamson, the skipper of New Zealand, says they would have batted first as well as it is a used pitch. Adds that both sides are a good mix of youth and experience and Afghanistan has match-winners right through their lineup.
Mohammad Nabi, the skipper of Afghanistan, says that they will have a bat first. Adds that last time it was a night game and hence they batted second but will try to put a decent total on the board today. Informs that everyone is fit and Mujeeb Ur Rahman is back, he will take the place of Sharafuddin Ashraf. Adds that they will play their brand of cricket and look to win the match.
Rashid Khan is down for a chat. He says that it is a big deal to be a part of a game which will be watched by so many players and generally the games at the back end of the group stages are the ones which are watched the least because teams are already out but it's not the same here. Adds that it is good to play under pressure and go out their and express your skills and perform well. Mentions that he will look to focus on the basics and enjoy today's game. Also adds that against India they had
The players of both teams make their way out for their respective national anthems! First, it will be Afghanistan's anthem followed by New Zealand's.
0.1 : Tim Southee to Hazratullah Zazai, WIDE! A false start then by Southee! Looks to angle it across the left-hander but bowls it well wide outside off. Left alone. Wided.
0.0 : We are done with the national anthems now and it is game time. The players of New Zealand spread out on the field. Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad are the opening batters for Afghanistan. The players take knee to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Tim Southee to start with the ball.
0.1 : Tim Southee to Hazratullah Zazai, This time he gets it to shape back in but the line is a little too straight. Zazai looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. It rolls on the leg side. A leg bye.
0.2 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR! Up and over! Mohammad Shahzad is off the mark in style and he also holds his pose for the cameras. Lovely stroke! Fuller and on off, Shahzad lofts it over the bowler's head. Boundary.
0.3 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Shahzad, Shahzad has come out with a lot of intent. He steps down the track and this is bowled on middle, Shahzad flicks but to mid on.
0.4 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Shahzad, Southee gets away with one! On the pads, Shahzad flicks but to short fine leg. A little to the left or the right and it would have been a boundary.
0.5 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Shahzad, Swing and a miss! Fuller and outside off, Shahzad looks to go big but misses. Mohammad Shahzad going after everything here.
0.6 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Shahzad, Good comeback then by Southee after going for some in the first few balls. 6 from the first over. On middle, it is worked to mid-wicket.
Who will bowl from the other end? Trent Boult it is.
1.1 : Trent Boult to Hazratullah Zazai, Good length and the stumps are targetted! Zazai works it through square leg for one.
1.2 : Trent Boult to Mohammad Shahzad, Well bowled! Gets the yorker in, it is full and on off, Shahzad jams it out to point.
1.3 : Trent Boult to Mohammad Shahzad, Bangs it short this time and on middle, good change in length. Ducked under.
1.4 : Trent Boult to Mohammad Shahzad, Good length now and on off, Shahzad plays it to covers.
1.5 : Trent Boult to Mohammad Shahzad, Really good from Boult! Changing his length almost every delivery. Making Shahzad think. A short one now on middle, Mohammad Shahzad ducks under it. Just the one run from the over so far. Can he end it well?
1.6 : Trent Boult to Mohammad Shahzad, He does! A good pacey short one, outside off, Shahzad is late as he tries to cut. Too quick for the keeper too who does not collect it cleanly. No run conceded at it hits the glove and rolls to point.
Adam Milne comes to bowl now.
2.1 : Adam Milne to Hazratullah Zazai, A run in the end! Shorter and on off, Zazai slaps it towards mid off. They wait for it to get past cover and then go for the run. Taken in the end.
2.2 : Adam Milne to Mohammad Shahzad, OUT! TAKEN, DROPPED? NO, THAT IS TAKEN! A really good catch by Devon Conway who just about hangs onto it! The move to get Milne on works wonders as he strikes. This is short and just outside off. Shahzad looks to arch back, tries to make room and cut. It goes more off the toe-end to the right of Conway who seems to have been wrong-footed. He sticks his right hand out, it hits the glove but then pops out, then hits his wrist as he is falling onto the ground an
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the new man in.
2.3 : Adam Milne to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Back of a length, outside off and nipping away. Left alone by Gurbaz.
2.4 : Adam Milne to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! Length again, on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz just walks across his stumps and flicks it really fine. The ball races away into the fine leg boundary.
2.5 : Adam Milne to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Good-length ball, around off. Gurbaz taps it back onto the deck.
2.6 : Adam Milne to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Back of a length, around off and tapped towards point by Gurbaz.
3.1 : Trent Boult to Hazratullah Zazai, OUT! TAKEN! That is one of the most simple chances for Santner and he does not make a mistake! Zazai now walks back and both the openers fall quickly. Not the start Afghanistan wanted but the perfect one for New Zealand. On middle, Zazai looks to flick, he closes the face of the bat quite early. It goes off the leading edge and lobs towards mid-wicket where Santner runs in and takes it. We saw Zazai take quite a cautious approach till the time he was out th
0.0 : Gulbadin Naib walks out to bat.
3.2 : Trent Boult to Gulbadin Naib, Good length and outside off, left alone. Boult has been brilliant so far.
3.3 : Trent Boult to Gulbadin Naib, Slightly shorter in length and outside off. Naib slashes at it but misses.
3.4 : Trent Boult to Gulbadin Naib, Back of a length and on off, Naib pushes it to covers.
3.5 : Trent Boult to Gulbadin Naib, Back of a length and on the body, cramps the batter for room. He defends.
3.6 : Trent Boult to Gulbadin Naib, FOUR! TOP EDGE BUT A BOUNDARY! Afghanistan won't mind how they come as long as they do! A good short one. On middle, Naib takes his eyes off the ball and looks to pull. It goes off the top edge and over the keeper. Boundary.
4.1 : Adam Milne to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, This lands safe! No timing again! Short and on middle, Gurbaz looks to ull, it goes more off the bottom part. Lands safe in the fine leg region. One taken.
4.2 : Adam Milne to Gulbadin Naib, Outside off, Naib slashes at it, it goes off the outside edge down to third man for one.
4.3 : Adam Milne to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Good pace! Length and on off, Gurbaz looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
4.4 : Adam Milne to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, That was audacious! Gurbaz just walks across, he exposes his stumps. Milne bowls a slower one on middle, shorter in length. Gurbaz swings but misses. It goes over the off pole.
4.5 : Adam Milne to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fuller and on off, Gurbaz pushes it to mid off and takes a quick run.
4.6 : Adam Milne to Gulbadin Naib, A good short one to end! Outside off, Naib looks to pull but misses. The short ball has caused problems for the Afghan batters. They though are still going after it.
Tim Southee (1-0-5-0) is back into the attack.
5.2 : Tim Southee to Najibullah Zadran, Two more! Fuller and outside off, this is driven through covers. The cover-point fielder runs after it, picks it up and as he tries to lob it to the fielder behind, slips. Just the two though.
5.1 : Najibullah Zadran walks out to bat now.
5.3 : Tim Southee to Najibullah Zadran, Goes short now and on middle, Zadran looks to pull, is a touch late in the shot. It goes off the splice back to the bowler.
5.1 : Tim Southee to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, OUT! LBW! That is as plumb as it gets! Good Gurbaz did not review that as his side would have lost one. Southee now comes on and he strikes. Whatever Williamson has done so far in this game has been on point. Outstanding from the Kiwis. Gurbaz was walking across a lot and you are always inviting problems while doing so against a quality bowling line-up. He does so again. Southee goes wide of the crease and spears this full and on middle, Gurbaz looks to fl
5.4 : Tim Southee to Najibullah Zadran, Outside off, shorter, Zadran slaps it but to covers.
5.5 : Tim Southee to Najibullah Zadran, That is a good bumper! On middle, Zadran evades it. He did well to drop his hands at the end.
5.6 : Tim Southee to Najibullah Zadran, Two more to end the Powerplay and it has been dominated by New Zealand! The Afghans are 23 for 3. On the pads, this is worked through square leg for two.
6.1 : James Neesham to Gulbadin Naib, In the air...safe! On middle and Naib launches this one on the leg side. The ball goes miles up in the air and lands safely towards the cow corner fence. The fielder from mid-wicket cuts it out and they get a couple.
0.0 : James Neesham comes into the attack.
6.2 : James Neesham to Gulbadin Naib, Fuller one, on middle and drilled won to long on for one.
6.3 : James Neesham to Najibullah Zadran, Length ball, on middle and leg. Zadran flicks it through mid-wicket for yet another one.
6.4 : James Neesham to Gulbadin Naib, Well-directed short ball, around off. Naib sways his head away from the ball.
6.5 : James Neesham to Gulbadin Naib, Slower one, bowled wider and Naib slashes it towards deep point for a single.
6.6 : James Neesham to Najibullah Zadran, Neesham hurls across a length ball, around middle and Zadran blocks it out.
7.1 : Mitchell Santner to Gulbadin Naib, Shortish ball, on middle. Naib nudges it towards the mid-wicket region for a single.
0.0 : Mitchell Santner comes to bowl now.
7.2 : Mitchell Santner to Najibullah Zadran, Quicker one, angled across the off stump. Zadran cuts it through cover-point for a run.
7.3 : Mitchell Santner to Gulbadin Naib, Santner gives this one some air and flights it up on middle. Naib pushes it down to long on for another one.
7.4 : Mitchell Santner to Najibullah Zadran, FOUR! Around off and Najibullah Zadran just swats it back past the bowler. The ball races away into the long on fence.
7.5 : Mitchell Santner to Najibullah Zadran, Flatter one, around off and blocked out by Zadran.
7.6 : Mitchell Santner to Najibullah Zadran, Slightly fuller, around middle and worked through mid on for a run.
8.1 : James Neesham to Najibullah Zadran, On top of off and tapped through the cover region for a single by Zadran.
8.2 : James Neesham to Gulbadin Naib, Back of a length, around off. Naib with a back foot punch through covers for a single this time.
8.3 : James Neesham to Najibullah Zadran, Slightly shorter and angled across the body, Zadran guides it nicely to third man for another one.
8.4 : James Neesham to Gulbadin Naib, Yet another single in the over! Banged in, around off and pulled down to deep square leg for a run.
8.5 : James Neesham to Najibullah Zadran, FOUR! Lovely shot from Najibullah Zadran. On middle and lofted nicely over the bowler's head for a boundary.
8.6 : James Neesham to Najibullah Zadran, FOUR! Back-to-back now from Najibullah Zadran! A slice of luck in this one but Zadran won't care. Width on offer and edged down to the third man fence.
9.1 : Ish Sodhi to Gulbadin Naib, Tossed up, on middle and pushed to long on for one.
0.0 : Ish Sodhi is into the attack now.
9.2 : Ish Sodhi to Najibullah Zadran, FOUR! It's raining boundaries from the bat of Najibullah Zadran now. On the pads and clipped aerially into the deep square leg fence.
9.3 : Ish Sodhi to Najibullah Zadran, Slightly shorter, around middle and leg. Zadran works it through mid-wicket for one.
9.4 : Ish Sodhi to Gulbadin Naib, Dragged down from Sodhi and Naib pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
9.5 : Ish Sodhi to Najibullah Zadran, On a length, around off. Zadran punches it down to long off for a single.
9.6 : Ish Sodhi to Gulbadin Naib, OUT! Chopped on! Just when it was all going Afghanistan's way, they lose their fourth. This one was short and wide and it was spinning further away. Gulbadin Naib goes after it but ends up getting an inside edge. The ball goes on to hit the off stump and Naib can't believe it. Ish Sodhi provides the breakthrough for New Zealand.
10.1 : Adam Milne to Najibullah Zadran, Back of a length, outside off. Najibullah Zadran stays back and guides it to third man for a run.
0.0 : DRINKS! Just when things Afghanistan were trying to get back into the game they have lost the wicket of Gulbadin Naib at the stroke of Drinks! Najibullah Zadran at the other end is looking in good touch and the Afghans would hope that he carries on his merry way and take them to a respectable total! The skipper, Mohammad Nabi is in at number 6.
10.2 : Adam Milne to Mohammad Nabi, Length ball, angling in from middle. Mohammad Nabi prods to defend but it takes the inside edge towards square leg. Nabi gets off the mark with a single.
10.3 : Adam Milne to Najibullah Zadran, Milne hits the deck hard, around middle. Najibullah Zadran rides the bounce and blocks it off the back foot.
10.4 : Adam Milne to Najibullah Zadran, Swing and a miss! Slower ball, shorter in length, outside off. Najibullah Zadran hangs back and looks to heave it away but he misses.
10.5 : Adam Milne to Najibullah Zadran, Length ball, outside off. Najibullah Zadran looks to drive but it goes off the outer half of the blade towards deep point. Two was the call but the batters settle for a run in the end.
10.6 : Adam Milne to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length, around off. Mohammad Nabi stays back and steers it to wide of third man to collect a couple of runs.
11.1 : Ish Sodhi to Najibullah Zadran, Tossed up, around off. Najibullah Zadran defends it off the front foot.
11.2 : Ish Sodhi to Najibullah Zadran, Wide! Sodhi errs in line and spills this one down leg. Najibullah Zadran looks to sweep but he misses. Wided!
Ish Sodhi to Najibullah Zadran, Loopy ball, just outside off. Najibullah Zadran sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.
11.3 : Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Nabi, Tossed up, around off. Mohammad Nabi prods and pushes it back to the bowler.
11.4 : Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Nabi, Just a tad short, outside off. Mohammad Nabi rocks back and eases it to long off to rotate the strike.
11.5 : Ish Sodhi to Najibullah Zadran, This is fuller in length, around off. Najibullah Zadran clears his front leg and drives it to long off for a run.
11.6 : Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Nabi, A single to end the over! Floated, around off. Nabi gets forward and works it towards long off. Just 5 runs off the over!
12.1 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Nabi, Good-length ball, around middle. Mohammad Nabi tucks it to mid-wicket.
12.2 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Nabi, Length ball, strayed on the pads. Nabi misses his flick and the ball brushes his pads before going to Devon Conway behind the sticks.
12.3 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Nabi, Southee goes wide of the crease and hurls a length ball, angling in from midde. Mohammad Nabi flicks it to mid-wicket.
0.0 : Tim Southee (2-0-9-1) comes back on.
12.4 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Nabi, Four dots in a row! Good-length ball, jagging back in from middle. Mohammad Nabi gets hit on the pad as he misses his flick.
12.5 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Nabi, Length ball, around middle and leg. Mohammad Nabi clips it to deep mid-wicket for a run. Can Tim Southee finish well?
12.6 : Tim Southee to Najibullah Zadran, Yes, he does! Good-length ball, on middle. Najibullah Zadran stays back and turns it to the leg side to collect a single. Just 2 runs off the over and the Kiwis are squeezing things nicely.
Mitchell Santner (1-0-8-0) is back into the attack.
13.1 : Mitchell Santner to Najibullah Zadran, SIX! BOOM! Flatter ball, around off. Najibullah Zadran clears his front leg and smacks it over long on for a biggie!
13.2 : Mitchell Santner to Najibullah Zadran, A bit quicker, around middle. Najibullah Zadran miscues his pull towards deep mid-wicket for one.
13.3 : Mitchell Santner to Mohammad Nabi, Flatter ball, darted on the pads. Nabi turns it to the leg side for a single.
13.4 : Mitchell Santner to Najibullah Zadran, SIX! BANG! Najibullah Zadran is in the mood! Tossed up, outside off. Najibullah Zadran reaches out and smokes it over Glenn Phillips at deep mid-wicket who leaps in the air to catch that but the ball goes well over him!
13.5 : Mitchell Santner to Najibullah Zadran, Flatter ball, on middle and leg. Najibullah Zadran flicks it to deep mid-wicket and collects a couple of runs.
13.6 : Mitchell Santner to Najibullah Zadran, Wide! Santner fires in a quicker ball, outside off. Najibullah Zadran lets it be. Wide called by the umpire.
Mitchell Santner to Najibullah Zadran, Fuller in length, on middle and leg. Najibullah Zadran whips it to wide of long on and takes a couple. Good over this for the Afghans as 19 runs came off it!
14.1 : Adam Milne to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length, around off. Mohammad Nabi blocks it off the back foot.
14.2 : Adam Milne to Mohammad Nabi, Milne bangs it into the deck, around middle. Mohammad Nabi looks for the pull shot but does not get any bat on it.
14.3 : Adam Milne to Mohammad Nabi, Slower ball, on a length, around off. Mohammad Nabi eases it to long on for a single.
14.4 : Adam Milne to Najibullah Zadran, Play and a miss! Another slower ball, into the pitch, outside off. Najibullah Zadran looks to heave it across the line but he misses.
14.5 : Adam Milne to Najibullah Zadran, Good-length ball, around off. Najibullah Zadran stays back and taps it to cover for a run. That brings up his fifty and what an innings this has been from Zadran so far! His teammates in the dug out stand up and acknowledge his knock as well.
14.6 : Adam Milne to Mohammad Nabi, In the air, but wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder. A well-directed bumper, around off. Mohammad Nabi mistimes his pull in the air to the left of Glenn Phillips at deep mid-wicket. The batters take two.
15.1 : James Neesham to Najibullah Zadran, A length ball, around off and angling away. This one stays a bit low as Zadran swings and misses.
15.2 : James Neesham to Najibullah Zadran, Length again, on middle and leg, clipped to deep square leg for a single.
15.3 : James Neesham to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length, on middle and Nabi dabs it down towards wide long on for one.
15.4 : James Neesham to Najibullah Zadran, On middle and worked through mid-wicket for a couple by Zadran. Good running.
15.5 : James Neesham to Najibullah Zadran, A length ball, around middle. Najibullah Zadran looks to turn it on the leg side but gets it off the leading edge back to the bowler.
15.6 : James Neesham to Najibullah Zadran, Good-length ball, around off and Zadran makes room and slaps it towards long off for a single. Just 5 off the over.
16.1 : Trent Boult to Najibullah Zadran, Full, on off and squeezed out to deep point for one.
0.0 : Trent Boult (2-0-5-1) comes back to bowl.
16.2 : Trent Boult to Mohammad Nabi, Singles won't help Afghanistan, they need boundaries. A length ball, caressed through cover-point for a run by Nabi.
16.3 : Trent Boult to Najibullah Zadran, Nice change of pace from Trent Boult, deceiving the batter. This one is bowled into the pitch, around off. Najibullah Zadran looks to swing across but gets beaten by the lack of pace.
16.5 : Trent Boult to Najibullah Zadran, Back of a length, on leg stump and flicked to deep square leg for a single. The 100 is up now.
16.4 : Trent Boult to Najibullah Zadran, Just short! On middle and Zadran swings aerially across the line. The ball lands in front of the diving fielder who came in from deep square leg. They take two but the umpires call a short run. Just the single then. We saw the Afghans run a few short runs against Namibia too and Najibullah Zadran fails to plant his bat inside the crease here too.
16.6 : Trent Boult to Mohammad Nabi, Fullish one, on off and Nabi drives it through covers for a single.
17.1 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Nabi, Back of a length, around off. Mohammad Nabi drags it to long on for a run.
0.0 : Tim Southee (3-0-11-1) is back on.
17.2 : Tim Southee to Najibullah Zadran, SIX! BANG! Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Najibullah Zadran stays back and smokes it over long off to collect a biggie!
17.3 : Tim Southee to Najibullah Zadran, Fuller in length, around middle. Najibullah Zadran whips it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder there fumbles and the batters take two.
17.4 : Tim Southee to Najibullah Zadran, FOUR! Najibullah Zadran deserves that bit of luck to be honest. A good short ball, outside off stump. Zadran looks to hook it across but get a top edge and the ball flies into the vacant fine leg fence.
17.5 : Tim Southee to Najibullah Zadran, BYE! Swing and a miss from Zadran. This is outside off and Zadran misses but they scamper through for a bye.
17.6 : Tim Southee to Mohammad Nabi, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Tim Southee takes a ripper of a return catch to send Mohammad Nabi packing. Back of a length, around off and Nabi looks to flat-bat it back past the bowler. It is coming back at a rapid pace towards Southee who somehow manages to hang onto it. Nabi can't believe it and this is a good wicket at this point as Nabi can be dangerous towards the end.
Karim Janat is the new man in.
18.1 : Trent Boult to Najibullah Zadran, FOUR! On the pads and whipped into the deep square leg fence by Najibullah Zadran. He's flying now.
18.2 : Trent Boult to Najibullah Zadran, OUT! TAKEN! What a brilliant catch from James Neesham and Najibullah Zadran has to depart after a blsitering knock. A length ball, on off and Zadran looks to smoke it over the long off fence but toe-ends it. The ball goes high, towards the long off fence and James Neesham dives in and takes the catch. Trent Boult with another wicket.
Rashid Khan walks out to bat.
18.3 : Trent Boult to Karim Janat, Back of a length, this is pulled down to long on for a couple by Janat.
18.4 : Trent Boult to Karim Janat, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust. This is on the pads and Karim Janat rightly looks to deposit this one over the square leg fence. Janat doesn't get any timing on it as the ball goes flat towards the square leg fence. Ish Sodhi takes a smart low catch and Trent Boult gets his third wicket.
18.5 : Trent Boult to Rashid Khan, Fuller one, on off and Khan drives it through covers for a single.
18.4 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the new man in.
18.6 : Trent Boult to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, This one had some sting to it from Boult. Short one, angled into the body. Mujeeb Ur Rahman looks to sway away from the ball but it comes off the shoulder of the bat and loops up towards backward point.
James Neesham to bowl the last over.
19.1 : James Neesham to Rashid Khan, Oh my word! This is banged in short. Rashid Khan flat bats it tennis ball style towards the cow corner fence. Daryl Mitchell flies like Superman and manages to pouch it, he also has the presence of mind to flick it back in. Saves two for his team.
19.2 : James Neesham to Rashid Khan, Full and outside off, Rashid Khan can't get any bat on it.
19.3 : James Neesham to Rashid Khan, The perfect wide yorker from James Neesham. Khan looks to go over covers but gets beaten.
19.4 : James Neesham to Rashid Khan, And yet again! Full and wide, Khan has a wild swing at it but misses.
19.5 : James Neesham to Rashid Khan, This is unreal death bowling from James Neesham. He's got four wide yorkers in a row perfect. Nothing Rashid Khan can do about it.
19.6 : James Neesham to Rashid Khan, OUT! TAKEN! A fitting end to a fantastic final over from James Neesham. Wide full toss this time and Rashid Khan does manage to get bat on this one. Khan slices this one in the air and towards cover-point. Kane Williamson dives in from covers and manages to hold on to the catch. Afghanistan END WITH 124/8!
The Kiwis will be pretty pleased with the first half in this must-win game for them. Have to say, everything was on point for them. Their fielding was outstanding, the bowling was on point and credit to Williamson too whose decisions were outstanding.
The pacers did the trick in the first 6. Milne, Southee and Boult got three in the Powerplay which pushed Afghanistan onto the back foot. The middle overs were not upto the mark but the key for the Kiwis was wickets at regular intervals. Everytime the partnership started to build and the runs started to flow a wicket fell. At one stage, 135 did look possible but the Kiwis did really well towards the end too to keep Afghanistan to a score below par.
The Afghanistan batting was about just the one man, Zadran! He scored more than half the runs scored by his team and had it not been for him, they would have probably been bowled out for below 100. It seemed like he was batting on a different wicket as the others failed to cross the 20-run mark. Nabi will not be happy especially after electing to bat. However, the positive for them is the recovery, they were three down for nothing but do have something to bowl at.
Trent Boult is up for a quick chat. He says that it was a good all-round performance from them and they will take 124 on any day. Adds that they started really well with the ball. Tells that he has been working hard on his death bowling and he is happy that it is paying off. Says that they have a good batting lineup and they would be able to chase it down.
Now the wicket seems fine to bat on. There is not a lot of turn and New Zealand do not have to chase a lot. They should gun it down. Afghanistan on the other hand, will look to make it as tough as possible for them. Will the Kiwis book their slot in the semis or is there a twist?
....THE RUN CHASE....
We are back for the second essay! The players of Afghanistan have made their way out to the middle.
0.1 : Mohammad Nabi to Martin Guptill, A good shot to begin with but no runs! Tossed up on off, Guptill drives but to covers.
0.2 : Mohammad Nabi to Martin Guptill, That is brilliant running! New Zealand and Guptill are underway! On middle, this is worked down to long on. They take one. Daryl Mitchell realizes that the fielder is coming towards the ball, slowly and then goes for the second. Najibullah Zadran does not pick it up cleanly and makes the second run easier.
0.3 : Mohammad Nabi to Martin Guptill, Floats it up on off, Guptill pushes it wide of long off for one.
0.4 : Mohammad Nabi to Daryl Mitchell, Flatter and on middle, DM defends.
0.5 : Mohammad Nabi to Daryl Mitchell, Slightly shorter and on off, Daryl stays back and pushes it to covers.
0.6 : Mohammad Nabi to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Finds the gap this time! This is even shorter and outside off, Daryl hangs back and places it between cover and mid off for a boundary. The last ball spoils the over.
1.1 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Martin Guptill, That one swings back in a long way from outside off. Guptill works it through square leg for one.
0.6 : Who will bowl from the other end? Mujeeb Ur Rahman it is.
1.2 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, Goes wide of the crease and angles it into middle, blocked.
1.3 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, Two, two is the call and two is what they get! Mitchell comes down the track and then works it wide of long on. Two taken.
1.4 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, Slightly shorter in length and outside off, it is cut but to point.
1.5 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Nice and fine! Second boundary for Mitchell! Shorter in length and outside off, Daryl plays it late, it goes more off the underedge down to the third man fence.
1.6 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, Drop and run! The Kiwis are off to a good start! 8 from Mujeeb's first! On off, Daryl plays it towards point for one.
2.1 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Up and over! That is a lovely shot and Daryl Mitchell is in a hurry to end this one! Fuller and on middle, DM shows the maker's name and lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.
0.0 : Naveen-ul-Haq comes to bowl.
2.2 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Daryl Mitchell, Follows the boundary with a run! On off, this is played towards cover for one.
2.3 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Martin Guptill, A slower one outside off, Gutpill throws his bat at it, it goes off the underedge towards the keeper.
2.4 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Martin Guptill, FOUR! That is smashed! Right in the slot this one. Full and outside off, it is powered through mid off. Boundary.
2.5 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Martin Guptill, A good slower one this time, fuller and on middle, Guptill looks to go hard at it, it goes off the toe-end towards mid on for one.
2.6 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Daryl Mitchell, Angled into the pads, Mitchell works it towards short fine leg for one.
3.1 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Daryl Mitchell, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! There is the first wicket for Afghanistan and it is Mujeeb who strikes on his return into the team. Welcome wicket as this guy was taking the game away from them. They though need a couple more quickly. Just the 99 more needed. This lands on off, Mitchell looks to defend but it spins away. Takes a faint outside edge and Shahzad does the rest.
0.0 : Kane Williamson walks out to bat at number 3.
3.2 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kane Williamson, BEATEN! Lovely from Mujeeb! This is outside off, it lands and then turns away. Williamson reaches out to defend but is beaten.
3.3 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kane Williamson, On middle Williamson pushes it down to long on and gets off the mark.
3.4 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Martin Guptill, On middle, Guptill works it down to long on for one.
3.5 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kane Williamson, On middle, Williamson works it down to long on and takes one.
3.6 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Martin Guptill, Another single now! This is tossed up on middle, Guptill plants his front foot forward and flicks it down to long on. Gets to the other end.
4.1 : Hamid Hassan to Martin Guptill, FOUR! Hamid Hassan starts with a gift for the batter! A full toss on off, it is driven down to the long off fence.
0.0 : Hamid Hassan comes to bowl.
4.2 : Hamid Hassan to Martin Guptill, Drags his length back now, on middle, this is worked to mid on.
4.3 : Hamid Hassan to Martin Guptill, This lands safe! Fuller and on middle, a slower one. Guptill works it wide of long on for one.
4.4 : Hamid Hassan to Kane Williamson, Back of a length and on the shorter side. Williamson hangs back and defends.
4.5 : Hamid Hassan to Kane Williamson, Outside off, Williamson stays back and then guides it to point.
4.6 : Hamid Hassan to Kane Williamson, Good running! Back of a length and on off, this one jags back in a little. Williamson looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the body. It rolls on the off side for one.
5.1 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kane Williamson, On middle, defended.
5.2 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kane Williamson, Flatter and on the stumps, Williamson blocks.
5.3 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kane Williamson, That lands just short! Not sure if the fielder moved quickly! On middle, Williamson plays the paddle scoop. It goes uppishly towards short fine leg. Hamid Hassan is late to take off, he though dives and manages to stop the ball as it lands in front of him. A single.
5.5 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Martin Guptill, FOUR! Pulled away hard! This is way too short and Guptill latches onto it. He smashes it through mid-wicket. Boundary.
5.4 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Martin Guptill, Just short again! On middle, Guptill closes the face of the bat early as he tries to flick. It goes more off the leading edge but lands short of the bowler.
5.6 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Martin Guptill, FOUR! Consectuive boundaries to end the Powerplay and it is a solid one for the Kiwis. Just another 80 needed! Fuller and outside off, this is smashed past mid off. Boundary.
6.1 : Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, Flatter ball, around off. Kane Williamson prods and defends it to point. The batters cross for a run.
6.2 : Rashid Khan to Martin Guptill, Tossed up, outside off. Martin Guptill drives it to long off for a single.
6.3 : Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, Loopy ball, on middle and leg. Kane Williamson tucks it to the leg side to collect a run.
6.4 : Rashid Khan to Martin Guptill, Fuller in length, around middle. Martin Guptill eases it to long on for one.
6.5 : Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, Flatter and quicker, around middle. Kane Williamson blocks it off the back foot.
6.6 : Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, A single to end the over! Tossed up, on middle. Kane Williamson skips down and nudges it to deep mid-wicket.
0.0 : Rashid Khan is into the attack now. 
7.1 : Mohammad Nabi to Kane Williamson, Flatter ball, outside off. Kane Williamson cuts it to deep cover for a run.
7.2 : Mohammad Nabi to Martin Guptill, Just a tad short, outside off. Martin Guptill rocks back and punches it to deep cover for one.
0.0 : Mohammad Nabi is back into the attack.
7.3 : Mohammad Nabi to Kane Williamson, Another short ball, outside off. Kane Williamson stays back and cuts it to cover.
7.4 : Mohammad Nabi to Kane Williamson, This is fuller in length, around middle. Kane Williamson works it to long on for a single.
7.5 : Mohammad Nabi to Martin Guptill, Tossed up, outside off. Martin Guptill blocks it off the front foot.
7.6 : Mohammad Nabi to Martin Guptill, An appeal for LBW but turned down! Flatter ball, turning in from middle. Martin Guptill looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pad.
8.1 : Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, Wide! Rashid spills this one down leg. Kane Williamson misses his flick. Wide called by the umpire.
Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, Floated, around off. Kane Williamson prods and defends it behind square on the off side. A single taken!
8.2 : Rashid Khan to Martin Guptill, A half-tracker, around middle. Martin Guptill rocks back and miscues his pull to deep mid-wicket. The batters cross for a run.
8.3 : Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, Flatter ball, on middle. Kane Williamson waits for it and works it to long on for a single.
8.4 : Rashid Khan to Martin Guptill, Tossed up, around off. Martin Guptill defends it off the front foot.
8.5 : Rashid Khan to Martin Guptill, OUT! BOWLED! Huge wicket this for Afghanistan as their main man, Rashid Khan strikes! A googly, around off. Martin Guptill gets down on his knee and looks for a slog-sweep but he misses and the ball crashes onto his stumps. It is also Rashid Khan's 400th T20 wicket! Can he turn things around for the Afghans?
8.6 : Rashid Khan to Devon Conway, Tossed up, on middle. Devon Conway prods and eases it to long on to get off the mark with a run.
8.5 : Devon Conway is the new man in.
9.1 : Mohammad Nabi to Devon Conway, Tossed up, strayed on the pads. Devon Conway clips it behind square on the leg side for a single.
9.2 : Mohammad Nabi to Kane Williamson, Tossed up, outside off. Kane Williamson pushes it back to the bowler.
9.3 : Mohammad Nabi to Kane Williamson, Flatter ball, around middle. Kane Williamson stays back and tucks it to mid-wicket.
9.4 : Mohammad Nabi to Kane Williamson, This is slightly shorter in length, outside off. Kane Williamson stays back and guides it to short third man.
9.5 : Mohammad Nabi to Kane Williamson, Floated, around off. Kane Williamson drives it straight back to Mohammad Nabi.
9.6 : Mohammad Nabi to Kane Williamson, Tossed up, outside off. Kane Williamson drives it to wide of long off and collects a couple of runs. 64 runs needed off 60 balls.
DRINKS! With Martin Guptill also back in the hut, New Zealand look a bit shaky but with just 64 runs needed in 60 balls, they should be able to get there. Afghanistan will need a miracle to go on and win this match. Hamid Hassan is back on. 6 runs came off his first over!
10.1 : Hamid Hassan to Devon Conway, Fullish ball, on middle. Devon Conway keeps it out.
10.2 : Hamid Hassan to Devon Conway, Good-length ball, on middle and nipping back in. Conway gets hit on the body as he looks to tuck it away.
10.3 : Hamid Hassan to Devon Conway, Peach! Hamid Hassan hurls in a full ball from around the wicket, outside off stump. This one nips in and then straightens. Devon Conway is well beaten.
10.4 : Hamid Hassan to Devon Conway, Outside off and tapped towards point.
10.5 : Hamid Hassan to Devon Conway, Here comes the single after a plethora of dot balls. On middle and gently pushed down to long off by Conway for a single.
10.6 : Hamid Hassan to Kane Williamson, Back of a length, outside off. Kane Williamson goes on the back foot and works it to deep point for a run.
Rashid Khan (2-0-10-1) comes back to bowl.
11.1 : Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, Dragged down, on the pads and Williamson nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.
11.2 : Rashid Khan to Devon Conway, Around off and played with soft hands towards backward point. The batters steal a single as well.
11.3 : Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, FOUR! Kane Williamson with a trademark shot and this will release a bit of pressure. On middle and leg, Kane Williamson gently nudges it through mid-wicket and the timing is so good that the ball ends up in the fence.
11.4 : Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, Flighted ball, on off. Kane Williamson dabs it on the off side and rotates the strike.
11.5 : Rashid Khan to Devon Conway, On middle and defended back to the bowler.
11.6 : Rashid Khan to Devon Conway, On leg and turning into the left-hander. Devon Conway looks to tuck it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.
12.1 : Gulbadin Naib to Kane Williamson, Back of a length, Williamson with a short arm jab down to long on for one.
0.0 : Gulbadin Naib comes to bowl.
12.2 : Gulbadin Naib to Devon Conway, Slower one, on the hips. Conway flicks it to deep square leg for one.
12.3 : Gulbadin Naib to Kane Williamson, Another slower length ball, outside off. Kane Williamson rocks back and slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.
12.4 : Gulbadin Naib to Devon Conway, Length ball, on off. Devon Conway eases it to long off for a single.
12.5 : Gulbadin Naib to Kane Williamson, FOUR! Glorious! Full ball, outside off. Kane Williamson drives it through covers and collects a boundary.
12.6 : Gulbadin Naib to Kane Williamson, Back of a length, outside off. Kane Williamson taps it to backward point.
13.1 : Mohammad Nabi to Devon Conway, Loopy ball, outside off. Devon Conway lofts it over covers and collects a couple.
13.2 : Mohammad Nabi to Devon Conway, FOUR! Top shot! Floated, around leg. Devon Conway gets down on his knee and sweeps it towards deep square leg for a boundary.
13.3 : Mohammad Nabi to Devon Conway, FOUR! And again! Tossed up, around middle. Devon Conway gets down yet again and sweeps it to wide of deep mid-wicket for another boundary.
13.4 : Mohammad Nabi to Devon Conway, Flatter ball, outside off. Devon Conway looks for the reverse-sweep but it goes off the toe end towards short third man. A single taken.
13.5 : Mohammad Nabi to Kane Williamson, Flatter ball, outside off. Kane Williamson punches it to covers for a single.
13.6 : Mohammad Nabi to Devon Conway, Floated, outside off. Devon Conway prods and drives it to sweeper cover. A single to end the over! 34 runs needed off 36 balls!
14.1 : Rashid Khan to Devon Conway, FOUR! Devon Conway nails it this time! Loopy ball, outside off. Devon Conway gets low and reverse sweeps it towards deep point to collect a boundary.
14.2 : Rashid Khan to Devon Conway, Flatter ball, on middle. Devon Conway stays back and eases it to long on for a run.
14.3 : Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, Fuller in length, around off. Kane Williamson drives it to long on for one.
14.4 : Rashid Khan to Devon Conway, In the air, but lands safe! Tossed up, outside off. Devon Conway looks to play the slog-sweep but he only manages a top edge and the ball falls just short of the deep square leg fielder. A single taken.
14.5 : Rashid Khan to Kane Williamson, Another googly, around middle and leg. Kane Williamson stays back and flicks it behind square on the leg side for a run.
14.6 : Rashid Khan to Devon Conway, Devon Conway is clearly riding his luck here! Tossed up, around middle. Conway looks to sweep but gets a top edge. The ball goes over the short fine leg fielder and the batters take two. 24 runs needed off 30 balls.
15.1 : Hamid Hassan to Kane Williamson, Back of a length, around off. Kane Williamson stays back and taps it to backward point for one.
15.2 : Hamid Hassan to Devon Conway, Swing and a miss! Slower ball, shorter in length, outside off. Devon Conway looks to heave it across the line but he misses.
15.3 : Hamid Hassan to Devon Conway, Banged into the deck, around middle. Devon Conway pulls it along the ground towards mid-wicket.
15.4 : Hamid Hassan to Devon Conway, Leg bye! Back of a length, around middle. Devon Conway looks to pull but he misses and gets hit on his body. The ball rolls away for a leg bye!
15.5 : Hamid Hassan to Kane Williamson, FOUR! Easy pickings! A juicy full toss, around off. Kane Williamson carves it past mid off and the ball races away to the fence.
15.6 : Hamid Hassan to Kane Williamson, Short of a length, around off. Kane Williamson stays back and looks to defend but gets an inside edge behind the sticks. A single taken. 17 runs needed off 24 balls.
16.1 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Kane Williamson, Tossed up, outside off. Kane Williamson skips down and eases it to long off for a single.
16.2 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Devon Conway, FOUR! CRUNCHED! Tossed up, around off. Devon Conway skips down and smacks it back past the bowler to collect a boundary.
16.3 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Devon Conway, A stifled appeal for LBW but the umpire says no. Tossed up, around middle. Devon Conway looks to sweep but he misses and gets hit on his glove. 
16.4 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Devon Conway, Wide! Mujeeb spills this one way down leg. Devon Conway lets it be. Wided!
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Devon Conway, Floated, outside off. Devon Conway reverse-sweeps it to deep point for a couple.
16.5 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Devon Conway, Flatter ball, outside off. Devon Conway punches it to cover.
16.6 : Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Devon Conway, Good running! Tossed up, on middle. Devon Conway clips it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Just 7 runs needed off 18 balls now!
17.1 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Kane Williamson, Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Kane Williamson skips down and lofts it towards deep cover for a couple.
17.2 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Kane Williamson, Back of a length, around off. Kane Williamson looks to cut but gets it from the inner half of the blade back to the bowler.
17.3 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Kane Williamson, Good-length ball, outside off. Kane Williamson punches it past covers and takes a single.
17.4 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Devon Conway, Length ball, strayed on the pads. Devon Conway clips it to deep square leg for one.
17.5 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Kane Williamson, Length ball, outside off. Kane Williamson drives it to wide of mid off. The fielder there runs to his left to stop the ball. The batters cross for a run.
17.6 : Naveen-ul-Haq to Devon Conway, Leg bye! Good-length ball, darted on the pads. Devon Conway misses his nudge and gets hit on the pad. The ball rolls away to the leg side for a leg bye! New Zealand are just 1 run away from a victory now!
18.1 : Gulbadin Naib to Devon Conway, Slower ball, on a length, around middle. Devon Conway eases it to long on for a single. New Zealand WIN THE MATCH BY 8 WICKETS! The Kiwis are into the semi-final!
End of a clinical performance from the Kiwis to book their spot in the semis! Excellent stuff from them in a high-pressure game. To be honest, 120 odd was never going to be enough and it surely did not. Have to credit the efforts from the bowlers who rose to the occasion and restricted Afghanistan to a low score.
Afghanistan needed wickets early on but they failed to get many! Their spinners really did not get a lot of assistance on this very good wicket. There were a couple of wickets to fall but they needed a lot more to actually build pressure. To be honest, they were at least 40 runs short of what could have been a competitive score.
Stay tuned for the presentation!
Their batters too did not let the efforts by their bowlers go in vain. The openers got off to a decent start before Mitchell fell. Williamson and Guptill then put on another decent stand before Guptill was dismissed. Then came the stand though which took them over the line and it was between Conway and Williamson. They took their time, paced it well and in the end, chased it down easily.
Trent Boult is the Player of the Match. He says that it's nice to top off the performance today and the boys are playing well. Adds that they've had some day games and some night games as well, so that gives them experience and they are confident about the conditions. Mentions that batting or bowling first, they are happy doing both and today the bowlers did the job and then the guys finished it off nicely with the bat.
Mohammad Nabi, the skipper of Afghanistan, says that it was their plan to put up a good score after winning the toss but they were not able to do it. Adds that they were few runs short and they should have got atleast got to 140. Tells that they tried really hard but felt that they were 30 runs short. Says that they know how to play in UAE but unfortunately they were not able to execute their plans and they will come back strong next time.
Kane Williamson, the Kiwi skipper says that, it was a strong performance against a very good Afghanistan side who have a lot of match winners and the bowlers did the job really well as it was a 150 plus pitch. Mentions that they would have batted first today, which hasn't been the case in this tournament as the pitches have been challenging and that's nice because it helps the overall performance and the fielding effort was brilliant today. Adds that everyone put their 100 percent effort in tod
So, that is it from this game! We have our four semi finalists. It will be England and Australia from Group 1 and Pakistan and New Zealand from the other. Now, the next game will decide if it is Pakistan who will finish on top or not when they face Scotland. If they win, they will do so. That game begins at 6 pm local time (2 pm GMT). You can change tabs and enjoy the coverage. Cheers!