Highlights, Afghanistan vs New Zealand, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match, Full Cricket Score: Williamson guides Kiwis to 7-wicket win

Kane Williamson, NZ Captain: Outstanding effort from us. They (Afghanistan) got to very good start. We stuck to our plans and build up pressure in the middle overs. We told him (Ferguson) to bowl fast. He has been brilliant for us.

Gulbadin Naib, Afghanistan skipper: We started really well. We didn’t take responsibility. Some of us missed length balls and threw our wickets away. Credit goes to the New Zealand bowlers. We are not playing according to the plan, especially the batsmen. We need to go on for 50 overs and stay on the wicket. We started well, Aftab and Hamid. Also, the wicket wasn’t supporting the fast bowlers, so we missed out on Rashid’s services. I think we need a little more in the middle. We missed out some boundaries. We still have a long way to go. This is the high level of cricket.

Jimmy Neesham is Man of the Match for taking 5 for 31

Neesham: Very pleased with my performance. Afghanistan put us under pressure very early with the bat, but we knew we had the ability to dent them even after the start they got.

After 32.1 overs,New Zealand 173/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 79 , Tom Latham (W) 13)

NEW ZEALAND WIN! Kane Williamson fittingly collects the winning single with a pull behind square! As comprehensive a win as it can get for the Black Caps, with seven wickets and a little under 18 overs left!

After 32 overs,New Zealand 172/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 78 , Tom Latham (W) 13)

Single collected off each off the first four deliveries, levelling the scores, followed by a dot off each of the last two deliveries. New Zealand need just one more run to collect their third win in as many games.

After 31 overs,New Zealand 168/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 77 , Tom Latham (W) 11)

Williamson and Latham are doing it in singles at the moment, with six of them coming off this over. NZ need five to win now. Just one hit over the boundary should do it.

After 30 overs,New Zealand 162/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 74 , Tom Latham (W) 8)

Hamid Hassan is brought back into the attack. Williamson collects a boundary off the first ball, flicking it through the midwicket region. Williamson then dispatches what is the 20000th delivery he has faced in his international career through square leg for a single. Seven off the over. NZ need 11 to win from 20 overs.

FOUR! Williamson dispatches the full delivery from Hassan through the midwicket region for a four! The boundaries are suddenly flowing for the NZ skipper, who’s batting in the 70s right now. NZ 159/3

After 29 overs,New Zealand 155/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 68 , Tom Latham (W) 8)

Big over for New Zealand, with 12 runs coming off it, including back-to-back fours to Williamson, both going through the cover region. The Black Caps are nearly home now. NZ need 18 to win from 21 overs.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries through the same region, this time hit on the front foot by the captain! NZ 154/3

FOUR! Wide outside off, Williamson smacks this freebie through the cover region! Brings up the 150 for the Black Caps. NZ 150/3

After 28 overs,New Zealand 143/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 58 , Tom Latham (W) 6)

Williamson sets off for a quick single off the second delivery. Appeal for lbw against Latham in the fourth delivery, one that is turned down and probably was pitching outside leg. Latham collects a single off the fifth ball. Just two off Alam’s seventh over. NZ need 30 to win from 22 overs.

Ross Taylor getting out in the 40s is very unusual. The last time he got out between 40 and 50 was in the Champions Trophy in 2017.

Since then he’s scored 50 or more 15 times.

After 27 overs,New Zealand 141/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 57 , Tom Latham (W) 5)

Naib returns to the attack in the 27th over, conceding seven off this one, including a couple of doubles to Williamson. NZ need 32 to win from 23 overs.

After 26 overs,New Zealand 134/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 51 , Tom Latham (W) 4)

Single collected off each of the first two balls. Taylor collects a boundary off the third delivery, one that is a result of a misfield by Zazai at fine leg. The Afghans then celebrate after the dismissal of Ross Taylor, who misses a low full toss from the pacer. Latham walks out to bat, and gets off the mark with a boundary off his second delivery. 10 runs and a wicket from the over. NZ need 39 to win from 24 overs.

FOUR! Nice way to get off the mark, Latham just pushing at a full toss down the ground. NZ 134/3

OUT! Alam finally breaks the stand, with Taylor missing a low full toss from the pacer that goes on to hit the base of his off stump. Some respite for the Afghans, although they’ll need a flurry of wickets from here, including that of the set captain, if they are to turn the game on its head. NZ 130/3

Taylor b Alam 48(52)

FOUR! Taylor collects another boundary for himself, this one being the result of a misfield by the fielder at deep backward square. Alam’s not happy with that at all! NZ 130/2

After 25 overs,New Zealand 124/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 50 , Ross Taylor 43)

Taylor collects a six off the first delivery, the ball landing on the roof of the building beyond the midwicket fence, which requires a change of ball. Three singles collected off the next five deliveries, with Williamson collecting a brace off the last ball, bringing up his 38th ODI fifty in the process. 11 off the over, with NZ needing another 49 to win at the halfway stage in their innings. Looks like the veteran pair have decided to press the accelerator now with a handful of runs left to chase down.

Fifty up for Kane Williamson, collecting a double off the last delivery of the 25th over to bring up the milestone! His 38th in ODI cricket, and one that has helped steady the New Zealand innings alongside the veteran Ross Taylor after the dismissal of the openers.

SIX! Taylor crouches low, and smashes the ball onto the roof of the building beyond the midwicket fence! NZ 119/2

After 24 overs,New Zealand 113/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 47 , Ross Taylor 35)

Rahmat collects three dots, conceding back-to-back singles, followed by a boundary to Williamson off the last delivery of the over. NZ need 60 to win from 26 overs.

FOUR! Kane Williamson gets down on one knee, and sweeps the ball behind square on the leg side for a boundary. NZ 113/2

After 23 overs,New Zealand 107/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 42 , Ross Taylor 34)

Six off the over, including a boundary to Taylor off the penultimate delivery, which is the result of a top edge that sends the ball flying high over the keeper. NZ need 66 to win from 27 overs.

FOUR! Taylor gets a thick outside edge that sends the ball flying over the leaping keeper. NZ 107/2

After 22 overs,New Zealand 101/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 41 , Ross Taylor 29)

Four singles collected off Rahmat’s fourth over. Meanwhile the 100’s up for the Black Caps in the 22nd over. NZ need 72 to win from 28 overs.

After 21 overs,New Zealand 97/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 39 , Ross Taylor 27)

Kane Williamson brings up the fifty stand with a boundary through cover off the first delivery, which is also a no-ball. The NZ skipper though, collects only a single in the free hit. Eight off the over. NZ need 76 to win off 29 overs.

FOUR! Cut away through the cover region by Kane Williamson, which brings up the fifty stand between him and Taylor for the third wicket! What’s worse for Afghanistan is that it’s also a no ball. NZ 94/2

After 20 overs,New Zealand 89/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 33 , Ross Taylor 26)

Tidy over from Rahmat, with just one run coming off it. New Zealand, meanwhile, are cruising towards the target right now, with the required rate below three at the moment. Wickets the need of the hour for the Afghans.

Kane Williamson has really struggled to deal with the field that India used against him in the recent tour. 

By putting in a wide slip, captains are cutting off one of his favourite ways of accumulating runs. 

The result has been that his strike rate has really dropped. In his last two series his strike rate has been in the low 70’s, and it’s closer to 50 in this world cup so far. 

He will need to find an answer to that strategy soon.

After 19 overs,New Zealand 88/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 32 , Ross Taylor 26)

Taylor collects a single off the first delivery. Williamson charges down the track in the second delivery, pulling the ball towards the midwicket fence for a boundary. Another wide called for height in the delivery after the boundary. KW collects a single off the penultimate ball. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Kane Williamson charges down the track and pulls towards the deep midwicket fence. NZ 86/2

After 18 overs,New Zealand 81/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 27 , Ross Taylor 25)

Six off the over, including a boundary to Taylor off the fourth delivery in which the ball slips past Hamid Hassan at sweeper cover. Six off the over.

FOUR! Misfield by Hamid Hassan at sweeper cover, the ball then racing away to the boundary rope. NZ 80/2

After 17 overs,New Zealand 75/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 26 , Ross Taylor 20)

Four off Hamid’s fifth over, including a wide off the second delivery that is called out for height. Taylor and Williamson, meanwhile, taking the easy approach at the moment.

After 16 overs,New Zealand 71/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 24 , Ross Taylor 20)

Rahmat Shah gets a bowl in the 16th over, conceding a boundary off his first delivery, coming off an outside edge off Taylor’s bat. Drinks brought out to the field now.

FOUR! Taylor edges the ball through the vacant slip region, the ball running past short third man and racing away to the fence. NZ 71/2

After 15 overs,New Zealand 67/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 24 , Ross Taylor 16)

Taylor collects a single off the second delivery. Williamson then guides the ball towards deep midwicket, where the sweeper has to put in some agile work to save a couple of runs for the fielding side. Three off the over.

After 14 overs,New Zealand 64/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 22 , Ross Taylor 15)

Williamson narrowly escapes a run out in the last ball of the over after a mix-up with Taylor, making it to the striker’s end in the last second. Three conceded by Nabi off his second over.

After 13 overs,New Zealand 61/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 21 , Ross Taylor 13)

Five off Nabi’s fourth over, including a boundary to Taylor off the third delivery, in which the veteran batsman smashes the ball behind point.

FOUR! Crunched behind point by Taylor off Naib! NZ 60/2

After 12 overs,New Zealand 56/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 21 , Ross Taylor 8)

Experienced spinner Mohammad Nabi is brought into the attack after the powerplay. Concedes a wide off the second delivery, which then is followed by three consecutive singles. Four off his first over.

After 11 overs,New Zealand 52/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 20 , Ross Taylor 6)

Naib walks away with a maiden at the end of his third over, with Kane Williamson opting to remain cautious and not showing any signs of impatience whatsoever.

After 10 overs,New Zealand 52/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 20 , Ross Taylor 6)

Williamson splices a pull off the second delivery, the ball, luckily for him, landing out of mid on’s reach. Taylor brings up the team fifty with a pull behind square on the leg side. Appeal for lbw against Taylor in the penultimate delivery, which ultimately gets turned down by the umpire. End of the first powerplay.

FOUR! Pulled away behind square on the leg side by Taylor, who collects his first boundary. Fifty up for the Black Caps with that shot! NZ 52/2

After 9 overs,New Zealand 46/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 19 , Ross Taylor 1)

Naib continues from the other end. Williamson collects a boundary off the second delivery, guiding the ball through the cover region. Afghanistan then lose a review after an unsuccessful appeal for caught-behind against KW, with Gulbadin Naib making the signal right away. Flatline on Ultra-Edge is all that they get. Five off the over.

Meanwhile, Rashid Khan will not take any further part in today’s proceedings after failing a second concussion test, confirms on-air commentator Mark Nicholas.

FOUR! Steered through the off side by Kane Williamson, who’s starting to get into the groove right now. NZ 46/2

After 8 overs,New Zealand 41/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 15 , Ross Taylor 0)

Aftab gets another breakthrough for the Afghans, this time ending the second-wicket stand between Munro and Williamson, with the former departing for 22 after holing out to third man. Taylor walks out to bat at 4. Two runs and a wicket from Alam’s fourth over.

OUT! New Zealand lose their second opener now, as Munro guides a back-of-length ball from Aftab, who collects his second wicket in the process, to Hamid at third man to depart after getting a promising start. NZ 41/2

Munro c Hassan b Alam 22(24)

After 7 overs,New Zealand 39/1 ( Colin Munro 21 , Kane Williamson (C) 14)

Skipper Gulbadin Naib brings himself into the attack in the seventh over, conceding five off it, including a boundary to Williamson off the last delivery that sees his New Zealand counterpart punch the ball through cover.

FOUR! Solidly punched on the backfoot by KW! NZ 43/1

THIS ALSO HAPPENED TODAY!  

Have you ever seen a ball go for 'six' after hitting the stumps? 👀#WeAreEngland #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/nL2SToZ8iC

— ICC (@ICC) June 8, 2019

After 6 overs,New Zealand 34/1 ( Colin Munro 20 , Kane Williamson (C) 10)

Williamson gets a thick inside edge in the third delivery of the over that sends the ball racing away to the fine leg fence, resulting in the Black Caps skipper’s first boundary, albeit a lucky one. Six off the over, including a wide right after the boundary.

FOUR! Streaky boundary for Williamson, getting an inside edge that sends the ball running away to fine leg. NZ 33/1

After 5 overs,New Zealand 28/1 ( Colin Munro 19 , Kane Williamson (C) 6)

Tight over from Aftab, with just two singles coming off it. Meanwhile, Munro and skipper Williamson have helped the Black Caps get back on their feet with a steady second-wicket stand.

After 4 overs,New Zealand 26/1 ( Colin Munro 18 , Kane Williamson (C) 5)

Six off Hamid’s second over, including another boundary to Munro, this one steered through the cover region after being offered ample width by the pacer.

FOUR! Steered through the cover region by Munro, who is looking quite dangerous for the Afghan attack right now! AFG 26/1

After 3 overs,New Zealand 20/1 ( Colin Munro 13 , Kane Williamson (C) 4)

Aftab starts his second over with a wide down the leg side. Munro then moves to double figures with his third boundary, another punch down the ground. Leg bye collected after the boundary, with Munro setting off for the non-striker’s end after getting hit on the pad. Six off the over.

FOUR! Another punch down the ground by Munro, beating the diving mid off along the way! Third boundary for the left-handed opener! NZ 19/1

After 2 overs,New Zealand 14/1 ( Colin Munro 9 , Kane Williamson (C) 4)

Hamid Hassan from the other end, with the New Zealand skipper on strike, collecting a single off the first ball. Munro looks to hit the ball out of the park, failing to do so for four deliveries (one of which is a wide) before guiding the ball towards third man for a single off the penultimate delivery. Dot to end the over.

After 1 over,New Zealand 11/1 ( Colin Munro 8 , Kane Williamson (C) 3)

Eventful first over, one that starts with Alam dismissing Guptill off the very first ball. Williamson then gets the Black Caps off the mark with a brace. Munro then fires a warning signal at the Afghans with back-to-back fours. 11 runs and a wicket off the first over.

FOUR! Back-to-back fours for Munro. Cracks this through cover after being offered enough width by Alam. NZ 11/1

FOUR! Just a push down the ground by Munro, timing his shot to perfection! NZ 7/1

OUT! What a start for the Afghans, as Aftab Alam removes Martin Guptill off the first ball of the New Zealand innings! Guptill gets squared up in the very first delivery, getting an inside edge that deflects off his thigh pad, lobbing over to Najib at point for a catch. NZ 0/1

Guptill c Zadran b Alam 0(1)

Colin Munro and Martin Guptill walk out to open the New Zealand innings, with Aftab Alam opening the bowling for the Afghans. Let’s see how the chase goes for the Black Caps.

Something that’s been easy to miss:

Tom Latham took 5 catches today, 10th keeper to do that in a World Cup match, and the first from New Zealand.

Something that’s been easy to miss:

Tom Latham took 5 catches today, 10th keeper to do that in a World Cup match, and the first from New Zealand.

Jimmy Neesham and Lockie Ferguson played for the same junior club and the same high school before their careers diverged. Today they have combined for 9 wickets.

Here’s the story of their journey by Michael Wagener.

James Neesham (5/31): Was just trying to hit the deck as hard as possible. They (Afghan openers) put us under pressure a bit at the start, but pleased with the way we responded. We just wanted to hit the right areas. It’s just about trying to do the job. Do what we need to for the team. You’re never fully confident (with the bat). Hope Colin and Guptill start strongly, and then we’ll see how it goes.

OUT! That’s the end of Afghanistan’s innings. Ball shaping away from Shahidi, who made room, heaved but the ball took the outside edge and flew right in front of third man, who took a good catch diving ahead. Shahidi goes back for 59 made off 99. Afghanistan end up with 172. Shahidi c Matt Henry b Ferguson 59(99)

If Hasmatullah Shahidi had some back up at the other end, it would be interesting to see how he would be playing. He has adopted a plan of trying to dominate the strike, and hit boundaries early on in the over. 

That’s sensible, given he’s batting with number 11, but I wonder if the clarity from that being the only sensible option is actually helping his game.

After 41 overs,Afghanistan 172/9 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 59 , Hamid Hassan 7)

Shahidi picks up a run off the first ball. Takes the risk. Gives Hamid confidence to face Boult. Just 1 off the over as Hamid plays all the remaining five balls for no run.

After 40 overs,Afghanistan 171/9 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 58 , Hamid Hassan 7)

Kiwis had the chance to get Afghanistan’s last wicket with Shahidi taking a single on the third ball but Hamid played well to evade Ferguson. Last powerplay begins. How many can Afghanistan make from here?

After 39 overs,Afghanistan 168/9 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 56 , Hamid Hassan 6)

Boult continues and he continued to bounce Shahidi on the first three balls. Goes full and gets smacked for four in the leg side. Shahidi is batting well with No 11. Getting the odd boundary and then taking the single off the last ball to keep strike in the next over.

FOUR! Low full-toss from Boult and Shahidi was ready for it, smacked it through mid-wicket for a boundary. This is hurting New Zealand

After 38 overs,Afghanistan 163/9 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 51 , Hamid Hassan 6)

Shahidi completes fifty. He has been the silver lining for Afghanistan in this innings. As others kept coming and going, he carried on and showed how to bat against this attack and on this track.

FOUR! That’s fifty for Shahidi,  makes room and smashes the ball past the mid-wicket region for a boundary. What a knock from him.

After 37 overs,Afghanistan 158/9 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 46 , Hamid Hassan 6)

Shahidi still fighting it out for Afghanistan. Collects a boundary in the over and manages to take the single off the last ball to keep the strike in the next over. On 46, deserves a fifty.

FOUR! Shahidi clears his front leg and heaves, the ball takes the top edge and runs for four behind the stumps.

After 36 overs,Afghanistan 153/9 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 41 , Hamid Hassan 6)

Afghanistan have played strange cricket today. Either going hard on the ball or losing wickets. Aftab has departed and it was always on the cards. What a shame that Shahidi is still there but he has not got any support from others.

FOUR! Hamid Hassan comes in to bat, Ferguson tries a yorker, does not get it right and Hassan punches the ball to cow corner for a four

OUT! That’s the end of Aftab’s short slogging stint. Another ugly heave from him and this time, the ball takes the top edge again flies in the air behind the wickets, Latham lines himself up and takes a good catch. Aftab Alam c Latham b Ferguson 14(10)

FOUR! Ferguson comes round the wicket, Aftab clears his leg again, plays a cross-batted shot, ball takes the top edge and flies to boundary behind the stumps.

FOUR! Ugly? yes, effective? yes. Short ball, Aftab clears his leg and heaves again, heaves well, beats the wide mid-on and fetches four runs

After 35 overs,Afghanistan 139/8 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 41 , Aftab Alam 6)

Boult back on. Aftab knows only one way to play. He has been clearing the leg and hitting. His success rate cannot be judged by the number of runs he scores but for how long he stays there while attempting such ugly shots.

Jimmy Neesham’s going to get the headlines for his bowling in this match, but there’s been pressure at the other end to help him out. 

There were either 0 or 1 run scored in the overs preceding those in which Neesham took 4 of his 5 wickets.

Ferguson has conceded just 2 runs from his last 5.4 overs. That pressure has led to the batsmen playing some shots that has led to their demise.

After 34 overs,Afghanistan 135/8 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 39 , Aftab Alam 4)

Off topic, or maybe not, but a cricketer has just won a Grand Slam. Ashleigh Barty, who played Women’s Big Bash League in Australia earlier, came back to tennis in 2016, and has just won the women’s singles finals at Roland Garros. In Taunton, Afghanistan continue to struggle in cricket. Rashid Khan has gone back and he was little shaken up after being hit on the helmet before the ball disturbed his stumps. Aftab Alam comes in and starts heaving straightaway. Not sure for how long he will start at the crease.

FOUR! Aftab Alam, comes in, clears his front leg and smashes it to through extra cover region for a boundary

OUT! Too quick for Rashid, Ferguson banged it hard on the ground and it rose it seemed like off the good length, Rashid could not deal with it, he rather found himself in very awkward position, as the ball hit the helmet grill and it shook him up before dislodging the bails. Kane Williamson walked up to him and had a word of concern as Rashid still looked shaken up. Hope, no serious damage done to him as he walks back. Rashid Khan b Ferguson 0(4)

After 33 overs,Afghanistan 130/7 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 38 , Rashid Khan 0)

Colin de Grandhomme (CDG) back on. He has replaced Henry and the move has worked as Kiwis have their seventh wicket. Rashid joins Shahidi in the middle. Kiwis need to wrap this up quickly.

OUT! That’s the end of Ikram, over-pitched and Ikram went for it, but could not connect it well, hit it straight to Martin Guptill behind point and there was no way he was going to drop this one. 
Ikram Alikhil c Guptill b de Grandhomme 2(22

After 32 overs,Afghanistan 130/6 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 38 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 2)

42 runs and two wickets loss between 20-30 overs. They have done just slightly better. A bit of mix-up between Shahidi and Ikram between the wickets. A few balls past the edges as well but no harm done. Just 1 off the over.

After 31 overs,Afghanistan 129/6 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 38 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 1)

Taylor drops another one. Another one flying over his head at first slip. Yet again, he jumped and got one hand to it and then spilled it. Henry is gutted. Ikram survives the scare.

After 30 overs,Afghanistan 127/6 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 37 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 0)

Neesham completes his outing in Taunton with the ball. Finishes with figures of 1/31. This is his best bowling effort in professional cricket. Afghanistan rebuilding with Shahidi and Ikram in the middle.

After 29 overs,Afghanistan 126/6 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 36 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 0)

Shahidi is batting well and growing in confidence. He got a close shave on the first ball as the ball took the inside edge off his bat and ran away for a boundary behind the stumps. But apart from that, he has been very watchful and has stroked boundaries whenever the chances are offered.

FOUR! What a ball from Henry, ball came in to Shahidi from the off stump line and he had no answer to it, ball took the inside edge and missed the stumps, went for four to fine leg.

After 28 overs,Afghanistan 121/6 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 31 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 0)

Neesham continues. Lovely cover drive from Ikram but stopped superbly by Santner. Neesham goes back to short ball, and Ikram leaves really well. The young batsman is applying himself and has looked up to the task so far. Just 1 off the over.

After 27 overs,Afghanistan 120/6 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 30 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 0)

Henry comes into the attack and bowls a half-volley to Shahidi, who crunches it for four through the covers. He found his line quickly and brought in to Shahidi two balls later, which took the inside edge off his bat and hit him on the thigh region. He was down for a few seconds and then laughed it off.

FOUR! Wow, that is a cracking shot for a boundary through the covers. Henry comes into the attack and pitched it up, Shahidi was up for the task and drove it beautifully.

After 26 overs,Afghanistan 115/6 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 25 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 0)

Shahidi is turning out to be an example for other batters. He has taken his time and as one batsman after the other played big shots and got out, he kept quiet and realised the importance of staying there. Ikram needs to give a good hand of support here. Just 1 off the over.

Some indiscipline outside his off-stump from Nabi, who had been leaving balls in that area before eventually flashing at one and nicking behind. #CWC19 #AfgvNZ pic.twitter.com/jI4SGFyO8a

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 8, 2019

After 25 overs,Afghanistan 114/6 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 24 , Ikram Ali Khil (W) 0)

Ikram Alikhil, left handed bat, has come to the crease. Shahidi starts the over with a boundary flicked off his legs. Takes a single two balls later to give new batter Ikram a go. He does well in this over against Boult. Five off the over.

FOUR! And another four. Boult yet again bowls on the legs and Shahidi easily hits it to the deep square leg.

After 24 overs,Afghanistan 109/6 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 19 , )

Bad start to the first over for Neesham after the second rain-break, hit for four off the first ball. pitched it outside the leg stump line with six fielders placed on the off side. But he made corrections soon and removed Nabi. Nothing shot from and he paid a price for it. Najibullah came in, hit a four and then he left too. 5-wicket haul for Neesham.

OUT! Neesham has a five-wicket haul. He bangs it short and right into Najibullah’s body, he could not deal with it, and ended up giving a catch to Latham behind the stumps. Najibullah c Latham b Neesham 4(3)

FOUR! Najibullah, the new batsman, gets going quickly, room on the off stump and he leans into the cover drive

OUT! Soft dismissal for Nabi. Nothing shot from him, slightly slower from the bowler, around the off stump line and Nabi lazily tried to cut it, the ball took the outside edge and flew to Latham behind the stumps. Nabi c Latham b Neesham 9(24)

FOUR! Neesham continues and he has bowled this one outside the leg stump, Shahidi had to just guide it to fine leg and collect a four. This is exactly what he did.

After 23 overs,Afghanistan 100/4 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 14 , Mohammad Nabi 9)

Alright, we resume. Boult resumes the 23rd over. Shahidi guides the fourth ball to the third man fielder and brings up 100 for Afghanistan. Nabi plays the last two balls for no runs. Just 1 off the over.

Play to resume in less than 15 minutes. No overs will be lost.

Rain stops play, for the second time today. The players are back to the dressing room, Ground staff pulling the covers out back on the field.

After 22 overs,Afghanistan 99/4 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 13 , Mohammad Nabi 9)

Neesham continues from the other end. NZ sticking to the same plan and more so because conditions are windy right now and the pacers may get support. Four leg byes in the over. 9 in total.

After 21 overs,Afghanistan 90/4 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 12 , Mohammad Nabi 7)

We begin again Taunton and the good thing is that no overs have been lost. Shahid started off with a boundary. Two runs came later on in the over. Just 6 off the over by CDG

FOUR! CDG begins, Shahid comes forward to this delivery and drives it through the off side. Good start after the short halt for Afghans.

Alright, the players stroll inside the ground. 61 in the first 10 overs and the 23 runs in the next 10 for Afghanistan while they also lost for wickets. 

Let’s see what the next 10 has to offer to us?

The rain has subsided for a bit. Umpires in the middle discussing something. The covers covering the square are off but the pitch is still covered.

Rain stops play

That rain is back. Yes, it is back, out of nowhere. One nasty cloud is right above the ground and we have a stoppage in play as players leave the field to find a shade.

After 20 overs,Afghanistan 84/4 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 7 , Mohammad Nabi 6)

Still. yes, still, whenever the ball is hitting the sweet spot, a cracking shot is being recorded in the stump mics. Afghanistan would want to hear these sounds off the bat and not those edges flying to the hands of the catchers. Five off the over.

After 19 overs,Afghanistan 79/4 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 6 , Mohammad Nabi 3)

Colind de Grandhomme (CDG) continues and the pressure was getting on to Afghan batsmen in the middle but a bad ball, on the off side released some pressure. Shahidi gets his first boundary. 7 off the over.

FOUR! A huge relief for Shahidi and Afghanistan, room outside the off stump, Shahidi waited for it and cut it through the backward point region for a boundary.

After 18 overs,Afghanistan 72/4 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 1 , Mohammad Nabi 1)

Change of ends for Neesham. He has replaced Ferguson. Perfect length and line from him to Shahidi. Good length and on the middle-leg stump line, shaping it away, and then sometimes bringing it in, keeping the lefty guessing which way it will move off the pitch. Shahid now 1 off 26 balls. Maiden for Neesham. Need to get a move on, Afghanistan. They are stuck.

After 17 overs,Afghanistan 72/4 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 1 , Mohammad Nabi 1)

Colin de Grandhomme, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack and Afghanistan should welcome this move. Slightly less pace and more time to play the ball. Also, congratulations to Hashmatullah Shahidi, who finally opened his account after playing 20 balls. Just 1 off the over.

After 16 overs,Afghanistan 71/4 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 0 , Mohammad Nabi 1)

Brilliant from Ferguson. Back-to-back maiden overs. He is still using the short stuff to instill fear in to the batsman’s mind. Nabi is not going after the ball at all. Afghanistan have learnt their lessons, hopefully.

After 15 overs,Afghanistan 71/4 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 0 , Mohammad Nabi 1)

Neesham is having a field day. Yet again, a wicket on the first ball as Neesham rolled his wrists and bowled a slightly slower wide off the off stump line to remove Naib. Nabi joins Shahidi in the middle. Kane comes to say hello to his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate and they move on to the match.

OUT! Afghanistan lose their fourth. Naib has to go. Short and wide from Neesham, who is having a great day in the field. Naib went after the ball, and reached it just enough to let the ball kiss the toe end of the bat and go to the keeper behind the stumps. Kiwis appealed straightaway, umpire raised the finger. Naib went upstairs as he felt he did not edge it. Obviously, he was wrong. Decision stays, review lost. Naib c Latham b Neesham 4(4)

66/0 becomes 70/4 and the match completely changes. 

Some of the shot selection from Afghanistan has been somewhat questionable. The pitch isn’t doing much, but it’s not completely true, and trying to hit balls from off stump through square leg is not likely to end well.

Neesham has three wickets, but his ability to bowl cutters may well see him getting more if the batsmen are going to help playing like that.

After 14 overs,Afghanistan 70/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 0 , Gulbadin Naib (C) 4)

Ferguson has decided. He will come running in and bowl some short stuff upfront. Kiwis have upped their game significantly in the last 20 minutes, reworked the plan for different batters. Ferguson completes a maiden over.

After 13 overs,Afghanistan 70/3 ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 0 , Gulbadin Naib (C) 4)

The guitar is strumming at Taunton as New Zealand celebrate the third wicket. Afghanistan have completely lost the track after a good start with the bat. They were 61/0 after 10 overs and now 70/3. Captain Naib has come in to bat and has got a four straightaway.

FOUR! Slapped! Yes, slapped. That is what explains this shot. Back of the length and new batter Naib slaps it over the umpire’s head for a boundary.

OUT! And one more gone, what is happening to Afghanistan? Neesham angles one into Rahmat Shah, he went early into playing the on-side push, the ball took the leading edge and flew to Guptill at backward point, who took an easy catch. Bread and butter for someone like Guptill really. Rahmat c Guptill b Neesham 0(4)

After 12 overs,Afghanistan 66/2 ( Rahmat Shah 0 , Hashmatullah Shahidi 0)

If Neesham can, so can I, said Ferguson to himself as he begun his second over and on just the first ball, bounced out Noor Ali Zadran, providing second wicket to Kiwis. Good comeback by Black Caps. They have changed the plan. Using the short stuff to create problems for the batters. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi are the two new batsmen.

OUT! Second wicket falls for Afghanistan. Noor Ali Zadran departs as well, Rising delivery, targeted at his right shoulder and he edged it to the keeper behind. Two back-to-back wickets for New Zealand. They are back into the match. Noor Ali c Latham b Ferguson 31(38)

After 11 overs,Afghanistan 66/1 ( Noor Ali Zadran 31 , Rahmat Shah 0)

Neesham comes into the attack and he has taken the first wicket for Kiwis. He has been the partnership breaker for them for some time and again he has delivered. Kiwis a little relieved now. Five off the over and a wicket.

OUT! Afghanistan lose first wicket and yet again it is this man Neesham, the partnership breaker, who provides the first breakthrough for Kiwis. Zazai was lured to hit the lofted the drive to deep cover and he fell for it, Munro standing there took a safe catch. Hazratullah Zazai c Munro b Neesham 34(28)

FOUR! Brilliant from Zadran, pitched up again, this time by Neesham and Zadran times it perfectly, through the mid-off for a lovely boundary.

After 10 overs,Afghanistan 61/0 ( Hazrat Zazai 34 , Noor Ali Zadran 26)

First powerplay is gone and Afghanistan owned it like a boss. 61 in 60 balls upfront. Here you go, Kiwis! You need to find an answer to this tough situation. Zazai and Zadran, the Two Zs doing the magic here for Afgahnistan.

FOUR! Over-pitched from Ferguson and Zadran comes forward, plays the cover drive and leans into it. What a boundary

Out of syllabus start this for Afghanistan!

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 8, 2019

FOUR! Bad ball, first delivery from new bowler Lockie Ferguson and bowled it on the legs of Zazai, he rolled the wrist and got a boundary on fine leg.

After 9 overs,Afghanistan 51/0 ( Hazrat Zazai 30 , Noor Ali Zadran 21)

This is a great start for Afghanistan. Zazai taking on Henry in this over, smashed him for a six and then a four. The last ball was almost hammered for a boundary as well. Afghanistan on top at the moment and time for Kane to bring a bowling change here. Fifty up for Afghans.

FOUR! Bludgeoned! Width outside the off stump line and Zazai smahesh the balll through the covers for a boundary

Having short boundaries and a batsman playing unorthodox shots is a real challenge for a captain. 

There have already been a couple of close calls at odd spots. Williamson put a man back at a square mid wicket and the next ball got to him just on the bounce.

That’s not a fielding position that you would normally see in the first 10 overs, but Williamson has needed to innovate because of the way that Hazratullah (in particular) has played and the short square boundaries.

SIX! Zazai smashes this over the backward square leg region for a massive six. In his zone, short ball and he was never going to miss that one. 89 meter hit.

After 8 overs,Afghanistan 39/0 ( Hazrat Zazai 19 , Noor Ali Zadran 20)

Boult giving it his all, created a catching chance. A hard one again but should have been taken by someone of Taylor’s standards in the slips. Afghanistan going strong in Taunton.

DROPPED! This is not going Kiwis way, another beautiful delivery from Boult, squared up Zazai, he edged it to Taylor, the ball was flying over the first slip, Taylor jumped, got his hand to it but could not hold on to it.

After 7 overs,Afghanistan 37/0 ( Hazrat Zazai 18 , Noor Ali Zadran 19)

Oh, this is a good wicket to bat on. The ball is hitting the sweet spot of the bat and that cracking sound off it coming to the ears. A bit of yes or no between Zazai and Zadran in the middle. No wickets yet for Black Caps though and this should begin to worry Kane.

FOUR! That is a beautiful shot, little bit of bottom hand from Zadran, on the legs and he flawlessly flicks it  to the leg side for four.

After 6 overs,Afghanistan 33/0 ( Hazrat Zazai 18 , Noor Ali Zadran 15)

Boult continues and Zadran has played some exquisite straight drives in the last two overs. He is playing some beautiful strokes from one end while Zazai continues to play cross-batted shots. 6 off the over.

Mohammad Shahzad casts such a big shadow on this team (sorry) that he has to be replaced by two players. An opener and a keeper. Although Rahmat Shah can back up (and did it in a warm up I’m told) they’ve gone for a specialist here. And Alikhil could bat as low as nine.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) June 8, 2019

FOUR! Another yorker attempted and Zadran was up for it, it came to him as low full-toss and he drove it past the non-striker for four runs.

After 5 overs,Afghanistan 27/0 ( Hazrat Zazai 17 , Noor Ali Zadran 10)

Don’t be surprised if Zazai is sent packing soon here. He is playing bad cricket out there in the middle. Trying to hit every ball, almost got himself out on two occasions. He is safe and he should call himself extremely lucky to be still there.

DROPPED! Zazai hits this one right up in the air and three players converging on the ball near the long-on region, de Grandhomme went for it after confusion in calling and dropped it.

FOUR! Cracked, asbolutely cracked by Zadran as he smashes this half-volley past the bowler on the front foot.

After 4 overs,Afghanistan 19/0 ( Hazrat Zazai 14 , Noor Ali Zadran 5)

This is a good start from Afghanistan and they need to carry on from here. Zazai playing slogging right now, he needs to pick and choose the balls. The World No 2 ranked bowler was bowling to him after all.

After 3 overs,Afghanistan 18/0 ( Hazrat Zazai 14 , Noor Ali Zadran 4)

Henry continues. A quiet and better over from him. Stuck to the good length and shaped it away from Zazai. Just 2 off it. But Black Caps need wickets early on here to make an impression.

After 2 overs,Afghanistan 16/0 ( Hazrat Zazai 13 , Noor Ali Zadran 3)

Boult comes into the attack from the other end. Runs are coming off the bat briskly. Some edges flying as well. This is an exciting start for both the teams where the ball is swinging but coming on to bat nicely as well.

After 1 overs,Afghanistan 12/0 ( Hazrat Zazai 12 , Noor Ali Zadran 0)

Matt Henry starts off for Black Caps and it is not a good start by any stretch of imagination. Three boundaries off the bat of Zazai. 12 off the first over. There was one catching chance but Taylor could not reach the ball as it flew over him.

FOUR! And BANG! Another one, short an Zazai opened his arms and smashed it over the mid-wicket for a boundary

FOUR! Short again but a very good bouncer, took the edge off Zazai’s bat, flies over Ross Taylor at first slip, for four runs

FOUR! Short and wide down the leg stump line, Zazai pulls it away for four and it goes to the fine leg boundary

Done with the two anthems now as is the norm and now on to some cricket. No Mohammad Shahzad as he has been ruled out due to injury. Hazratullah Zazai, Noor Ali Zadran will open the innings for Afghanistan. Matt Henry to bowl the first over.

Teams are out for national anthems. Play to start soon in less than ten minutes time.

New Zealand have historically been the most clinical team at putting away lower-ranked opponents in World Cup history. Today Afghanistan have an opportunity to end that record. 

The pitch looks very green, but in New Zealand there’s a phenomenon known as a fake green pitch, where a pitch looks like it will be a green mamba, but actually plays quite well. This pitch shows some signs of being one of those. 

New Zealand are clear favourites but Afghanistan still have a real opportunity to make their mark here today.

PITCH REPORT

“Fresh, breezy but thankfully very very well. Very strong breeze, will play a big part,” says former Australia cricketer Mel Jones. 

“I wouldn’t mind batting first on this surface. Williamson opted to bowl because there’s a nice green cover on this surface. Bit of a grass, but you’ll profit as a batsman if you can get through the first half hour. Chasing later in the day will be easy. Not much of spin in here,” says former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith

New Zealand XI: Guptill, Munro, Williamson, Taylor, Latham, Neesham, de Grandhomme, Santner, Henry, Ferguson, Boult

Afghanistan XI: Hazratullah, Noor Ali, Rahmat, Hashmatullah, Nabi, Gulbabin, Najubullah, Ikram, Rashid, Aftab, Hassan

Toss News: New Zealand win toss and they have decided to bowl first. No changes for Kiwis, Afghanistan make 3 changes.

Taunton is ready

Today's #AFGvNZ match will see #CWC19 head to Taunton!

Get the low-down on this incredibly picturesque venue. pic.twitter.com/tlYU178F06

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 8, 2019

Here are the two squads

Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib(c), Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ali Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan.

New Zealand: Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson(c), Tom Blundell(w), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Latham, Ish Sodhi

In Cardiff, Jason Roy has completed a superb hundred and the problems are aplenty for Bangladesh with England at 174/1 after 28 overs. Click here to follow live score and over-by-over commentary of this match.

Will go by global body’s norms, says CoA chief Vinod Rai on MS Dhoni’s glove controversy

A day after supporting its wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for wearing a military insignia during an international match, Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai on Saturday said that there is no question of breaking the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) norms and consequently, they will follow the cricket governing body’s decision.

Read the full report here.

Djoker and Thiem in slug it out on clay

Meanwhile, in tennis, Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem are engaged in a fierce dogfight on Parisian clay for a place in French Open final. As I type this, Thiem has just won the third set against the Serb. He leads 6-2, 3-6, 7-5. Follow all the French Open action on our LIVE blog.

Trial by spin

While the likes of Mitchell Starc and Kagiso Rabada have made an instant impact at the World Cup so far, the threat of quality spin cannot be underestimated. In line with that thought, Afghanistan’s spin trio of Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman will fancy their chances against the Kiwis .

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s LIVE coverage of Afghanistan vs New Zealand match. Stay tuned for latest updates and scores.