The day we all were eagerly waiting for is finally, here. It’s New Zealand vs Afghanistan. This game is too important for all the Indian cricket. If New Zealand will win this match, both India and Afghanistan are out of the contention for the semifinals. We will also see who won Man of the Match in New Zealand vs Afghanistan match.
After winning the toss, Afghanistan decided to bat first. New Zealand brilliantly with the ball. They have taken 3 wickets in the powerplay and Afghanistan only scored 23 runs. Afghanistan were pushed on the back foot from the starting. And with each wicket, Indian fans are hurting more than Afghani fans. Najibullah Zadran led the recovery, with some smart cricket, as he added vital partnerships with Gulabdin Naib and Mohammad Nabi. But New Zealand struck back in the Death overs. Afghanistan only managed to scored 124 runs.
Chasing a below par total in a must win match, New Zealand started brilliantly. They scored 45 runs in the powerplay and New Zealand only lost a wicket. After taking wicket of Martin Guptill, Rashid Khan took his 400th T20 wicket. He is a giant in the shortest format. But Devon Conway and Kane Williamson finished things for New Zealand where Kane Williamson played an anchor innings. And with this, New Zealand have won by 8 wickets. And Afghanistan and India are out of the contention for the semifinal spot.
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Who won Man of the Match in New Zealand vs Afghanistan match?
Trent Boult, for his brilliant bowling spell, was adjudged as the Man of the Match in New Zealand vs Afghanistan match. He bowled brilliant lines and lengths and set the tone for New Zealand win from the starting with the ball. Also, he took 3 wickets and only gave 17 runs in his quota of 4 overs and was lethal with the ball.
Afg vs NZ T20 World Cup: Other Players who also deserved Man of the Match Award today
Other players who could have been the potential contenders for Man of the Match in this New Zealand vs Afghanistan match other than Trent Boult were:
- Najibullah Zadran: Najibullah Zadran played a brilliant innings for his team and single handedly took his team to a respectable score. He played a fiery knock of 73 runs of 48 balls. He came at a time when Afghanistan were in a pressure situation but handled the situation well. But he can’t took his team to the winning side as none of the batters stood up. Therefore, he could have also been awarded MOM award today.
- Kane Williamson: Kane Williamson played an anchor innings. When he came to bat, he can’t afford to lose his wicket as if he got out at that stage, result might be different. He played an unbeaten innings of 40 runs of 42 balls. Though his strike was quite low, but this is what New Zealand needed from him.
And once again, New Zealand upsets India in the ICC events. It is first time since 2012 that India have not made it to the knockouts in an ICC event. It’s too sad for the Indian cricket team. And semifinal spot is now booked for New Zealand.
