ICC World Cup 2019
Match 13 - New Zealand Vs Afghanistan
Nightmare Neesham
Second match of this weekend went with not much expectations. Because the inform team New Zealand takes Afghanistan at Taunton. Most of them knows the result of the match before the day itself. But many were expected a strong challenge game from Afghanistan. But nothing able to do against New Zealand bowlers. If you thought its because of Boult or Henry, then you might be wrong. Its mainly because of their specialised all rounder Jimmy Neesham that too at middle overs. More than him rain supported New Zealand well at this pitch.
After the toss Afghanistan decided to bat first. One of their reliable opener Mohammed Shahzad ruled out of world cup due to injury. So Noor Ali Zadran joined as a new opener along with Hazrathulah Zazai. We cant blame them, because both gave one of the best opening partneship for Afghans in world cup. Both added 66 runs for first wicket. Zazai gone for 34 runs as first wicket. Within three balls another opener Noor went pavilion with 31 runs. In the very next over Rahmat Shah gone for duck with the same score. Afghan collapsed from 66 for none to 66 for 3. Now the rain started and interrupted the play. It didnt affect the match, overs also not reduced. But it makes the pitch wet and the balls not even bouncing a bit. Batsmen faced difficult to meet the ball. Jimmy Neesham used this well and bowled exactly in line only. Which helps him to take 2 wickets in a single over. Naib and Zadran gone for 4 runs and Nabi gone for 8 runs. Neesham grabs all afghan middle order batsmen in middle overs. He grabs 5 wickets and joined with New Zealand elite club of bowlers taking 5 wicket haul in world cups. On the other side Shahidi alone fighting at one end with half century. Tail enders were honoured by Ferguson. Finally the poor Afghans went all out for 172 runs at 41.1 overs. Neesham grabs 5 wickets, Ferguson with 4 wickets and the remaining one for Grandhomme. Not only Neesham make 5 wickets haul, its 5 catches for wicket keeper Tom Latham too in this match.
Black caps started the easy chase with Martin Guptil and Colin Munro. In the very first ball of 2nd innings itself Afghans gave a big shock to Kiwis by sending Guptil to pavilion. Aftab Alam take him. Before crossing 50 runs Aftab takes off another opener Munro. Kiwis were now 41-2 from 7.5 overs. But they cant able to do anything after that. Both New Zealand top batsmen Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor knows how to bat in that pitch. They both handled carefully and reaching the target. When score was 130 runs Ross Taylor lost his wicket to same Aftab Alam just before reaching his fifty. Taylor gone for 48 runs. But it didnt affect the match, Williamson scored his half century along with Latham and finished the chase successfully in 33rd over. Its third win for New Zealand in wc 2019 and third loss for Afghanistan. With this win New Zealand keeps their top position in the points table with superior run rate 2.163, still kiwis need only 3 wins to qualify for semi finals. Even 2 win also enough for them but has to maintain this runrate.
Man of the Match: Jimmy Neesham
Five Wicket Hauler Jimmy Neesham was awarded as man of the match. He became fifth bowler from New Zealand to achieve five wicket haul in world cups. Previously Richard Hadlee in 1983, Shane Bond in 2003, Trent Boult and Tim Southee in 2015, Now Jimmy Neesham joined with them.
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