Highlights, New Zealand vs Afghanistan Live Cricket ..021: New Zealand eliminate India with eight-wicket win

New Zealand are a hugely popular side and loved by all but today they have broken a lot of Indian hearts by winning against Afghanistan. But in all honesty, the defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand made it almost impossible for India to reach the semis. The Kiwis came into the match with a simple equation — win and reach the semis. They did that and without any fuss. They bowled well to restrict Afghanistan to 124/8, and then batted in a clam way to get across the finish line without a hiccup. Excellent cricket. Excellent team.

That's it from our side for tonight. Bye bye! 

Kane Williamson: "It was a strong performance from the team. We all know how dangerous this Afghanistan side is. Another strong challenge is coming up. England are a very strong side. Looking forward to the occasion."

Mohammad Nabi: "We didn't start well and when Najib brought us back we didn't finish well. 150-160 should have been a decent total on this pitch. We played good cricket in the tournament, we will take a lot of positives from here. We need to correct the mistakes we made with the bat."

Trent Boult: "Nice to get this performance this afternoon. Boys are feeling good and we have big games coming up. We have been playing good cricket. Hopefully we can keep it going."

Trent Boult is the Player of the Match for bowling figures of 3/17

The first two defeats made reaching semis impossible...

Let’s be honest... #India deserved not to progress after those first two performances.

A shocking exit from their “home” #T20WorldCup should spur a new thinking in Indian T20I cricket, helped by the change in captaincy and coaching staff.

Fresh direction, fresh ideas needed.

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) November 7, 2021

Opportunity lost...

After a decade India failed to make it to semis in an ICC tournament. But, what hurts more is another great opportunity lost. #AfgvsNZ #AFGvNZ

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) November 7, 2021

Sad...

India have failed to reach the semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on 4 out of 7 occasions.

— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) November 7, 2021

Thoughts?

Given their fandom, population and BCCI’s deep pockets, it’s still kinda remarkable India don’t dominate the sport à la USA in basketball. Not making the semis is a major failure #T20WorldCup

— Tristan Lavalette (@trislavalette) November 7, 2021

New Zealand reach semis with eight-wicket win!!

Another World Cup semi-finals appearance for New Zealand. It has been a highly professional performance today. Put in to bowl, the New Zealand pacers and spinners never allowed Afghanistan batters to build partnerships. And chasing a small total, skipper Williamson led from the front to take his team to the semi-finals.