Indian men’s team are out of the T20I World Cup as New Zealand had defeated Afghanistan on Sunday.
India had lost their first two matches and then went on to win their next two. However, the team needed New Zealand to lose at least a match as they had more wins than India.
In their final group match, New Zealand needed a win against Afghanistan to go through. On the other hand, Afghanistan needed a win as well as a loss from India to go through.
In the most-awaited match of the group, Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first. However, things didn’t go their way as New Zealand pacers removed the top order. Afghanistan were 19 for 3 and then 56 for 4.
Skipper Nabi and Zadran added an important partnership to take the team to a decent total. The latter scored his T20I highest score, 73 from just 48 deliveries. The team ended with 124 in their 20 overs. Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 17.
In return, the Afghanistan bowlers leaked runs. Mujeeb ur Rahman, who was back into the playing eleven for this match, dismissed Mitchell and then Rashid Khan removed Guptill. The middle overs belonged to the spinners.
However, with only less total on board, the Kiwis didn’t have to take any risk. Kane Williamson took his time in the middle, played 42 deliveries for his 40*. With help from Devon Conway, who made 36, Williamson led the team from the front and finished the match in the 49th over.
With that win, the hopes of Afghanistan and India came to an end. Pakistan and New Zealand are the two teams to qualify for this group.
