ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: New Zealand vs Afghanistan, Pool A match in Napier in caricatures

The Pool A game of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, in Napier on Sunday, between co-hosts New Zealand and Afghanistan was expected to be an one-sided affair. The Kiwis along with the Indian team, are the only team which remains unbeaten in the tournament so far and it doesn’t look like that they will be beaten before the quarter-final. New Zealand extended their winning run to five out of five after beating Afghanistan by six wickets.

Afghanistan had won the toss and elected to bat first, despite knowing that New Zealand have bowled their opponents out in all the four matches, they have played till now. They might have regretted the decision when they were six down for just 59 on board. Then came the rescue with a 86 run partnership between Samiullah Shenwari (54) and Najibullah Zadran (56), both scored a gritty half century to help Afghanistan to score a respectable score of 186 before they were bowled out in 47.4 overs. Daniel Vettori (four for 18) was undoubtedly the best bowler; he bowled four maidens in his 10 overs. Trent Boult (three for 34) provided an able support and helped to wrap up Afghanistan’s innings.

The chase never seemed tough for New Zealand, even though they lost wickets in between but it was only a matter of time that they achieved the target. Brendon McCullum (42) played his usual innings in the opening 53 run partnership with Martin Guptill (57). Guptill scored a fine half century as he was involved in another fifty plus partnership (58 runs), with Kane Williamson (33) for the second wicket. The Kiwis lost four wickets but birthday boy Ross Taylor (24*) took them over the line as they got to 188 in 36.1 overs. Shapoor Zadran (one for 45) bowled well with two maidens in his 10 overs. Mohammad Nabi (one for 39) supported him but it was not enough to stop the mighty Kiwis.

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Daniel Vettori was adjudged the Man of the Match for his excellent spell of 10-4-18-4.

New Zealand sit at the top of the Pool A table with five wins out of five and play their final game against Bangladesh on Friday. Afghanistan is sixth in the points table and play their final game against England on the same day.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan 186 in 47.4 overs (Najibullah Zadran 56, Samiullah Shenwari 54; Daniel Vettori 4-18, Trent Boult 3-34) lost to New Zealand188 for 4 in 36.1 overs (Martin Guptill 57, Brendon McCullum 42; Mohammad Nabi 1-39, Shapoor Zadran 1-45) by six wickets