New Zealand beat Afghanistan by eight wickets in their last Super 12 stage match of the ongoing T20 World Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Chasing a total of 125 runs, New Zealand lost both the openers in the first 10 overs but an unbeaten 68-run partnership between skipper Kane Williamson (40*) and Devon Conway (36*) guided New Zealand to victory and semi-final qualification. With this result, India and Afghanistan are both out of the race for the final four. However, the Virat Kohli-led side has one more game left in the tournament against Namibia on Monday. The result of the India-Namibia game will make no change in India's fate in the ongoing tournament. This is also the first time since 2012 that India failed to make it to the semi-finals of any ICC event-- 2013 (Champions Trophy- winners), 2014 (T20 World Cup- runners-up), 2015 (ODI World Cup- semi-finalists), 2016 (T20 World Cup- semi-finalists), 2017 (Champions Trophy- runners-up), 2019 (ODI World Cup- semifinalists), 2021 (World Test Championship- runners-up).
T20 World Cup 2021 New Zealand vs Afghanistan Highlights Straight From Sheikh Zayed Stadium In Abu Dhabi
- 14:01 (IST)Hello And Welcome!Hello and Welcome to the live blog of Afghanistan vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2021 match. This is one of the most crucial game of the ongoing tournament as three teams - New Zealand, Afghanistan and India -- are on the boat to reach the semifinals. If Afghanistan win this game then India will have a chance of making it to the final four when they take the field against Namibia on Monday. However, India need to go past Afghanistan's net run-rate to finish second in Group 2. For New Zealand the equation is simple if they win this game then they will seal their place in the final four and both Afghanistan and India will be eliminated.