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Afghanistan put a brave spin on their arduous World Cup travel schedule Saturday as they prepared to “come back strongly” against unbeaten New Zealand in Napier. As if playing the tournament top dogs was not tough enough, Afghanistan face New Zealand after their second trans-Tasman crossing in a week. “It’s true to say that we’re a bit weary. We’re trying to put a positive spin on it,” said coach Andy Moles whose side are estimated to have travelled 15,000km on their World Cup odyssey over the last three weeks. [caption id=“attachment_2141283” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  As if playing the tournament top dogs was not tough enough, Afghanistan face New Zealand after their second trans-Tasman crossing in a week. AFP[/caption] After playing Scotland in the southern New Zealand city of Dunedin late last week, the tournament minnows flew to Perth on the west coast of Australia to play the Australians before returning to Napier in the North Island of New Zealand for Sunday’s game. Afghanistan have already provided one of the highlights of the World Cup by celebrating their inaugural entry into cricket’s most prestigious ODI tournament with a one-wicket victory over Scotland. Moles said to secure a win and to face top-tier World Cup regulars such as Australia and New Zealand can only benefit Afghanistan and far outweighs the difficulties with their travel itinerary “It’s not ideal, but we’re not going to use it in any way as an excuse,” Moles said. “One thing about these Afghans, they’re very passionate and proud people and they’re fighters. Their history back at home shows that they’re full of fight. “They want to make sure in every fixture we play, we want to compete. It didn’t happen in Australia. We know we’re in for a very tough examination again (against New Zealand). “But as a group of both coaching staff and individuals, we’re looking forward to showing what qualities we do have in the team.” Their maiden World Cup outing was a loss to Bangladesh by 105 runs followed by a four-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka, the win over Scotland and then a thrashing by Australia who made 417-6 and bowled Afghanistan out for 142. Afghanistan wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai referred to the Australia loss as “a bad day” but said they would “come back strongly against New Zealand.” Moles described the hiding in Perth as “an experience that was a bit brutal”, and said it highlighted the need for emerging nations to be provided games against top teams outside World Cups “It becomes a common theme here from all the Associates. When you come across these type of players once every four years, it’s difficult. “The guys have got to face 150km/h-plus bowlers on probably the quickest bouncers’ wicket in the world. It’s totally alien to them.” Moles said to have a win in their first World Cup was “a huge positive” and he was impressed with how Hamid Hassan and Samiullah Shenwari had measured up. Hassan took one for 32 off 10 against Scotland and three for 45 against Sri Lanka while Shenwari has scores of 42, 96, 38 and 17 from his four innings so far. AFP
World Cup, New Zealand vs Afghanistan as it happened: Kiwis beat Afghanistan by six wickets
As if playing the tournament top dogs was not tough enough, Afghanistan face New Zealand after their second trans-Tasman crossing in a week.
 "World Cup, New Zealand vs Afghanistan as it happened: Kiwis beat Afghanistan by six wickets")
That’s it! New Zealand beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets with 83 balls to spare. It was slow but in the end, a comprehensive win!
Daniel Vettori was the star of the show with four wickets on they day on which he reached 300 ODI wickets. he was ably supported by Boult. Shenwari and Najibullah hit fifties to lead Afghanistan’s fight in batting after they were reeling at 59/6. But they couldn’t do much with the ball. NZ have now won 5 out of 5 and are at the top of the table.
After 35 overs, New Zealand 179/4 (Taylor 20, Anderson 2)
Boundaries are rare. But there are singles in abundance. The Kiwis are in no hurry.They have lost the wicket of of Elliott but they have a lot of time and wickets in hand. Just 8 runs needed now. Batting Powerplay is enforced now….
OUT! Elliott is run out! GD Elliott run out 19 (28b 1×4 0x6) , After 33.5 overs, New Zealand 175/4 (Taylor 19)
Afghanistan have been pretty good in the field. Elliott drives it to mid off off Shapoor and scampers through for a single, Nabi charges forward, picksit up and scores a direct hit at the non-striker’s end. Elliott is found just short on replays.
Corey Anderson is the new batsman.
After 30 overs, New Zealand 159/3 (Taylor 16, Elliott 7)
Just when it looked like Guptill was looking to up the ante, a mix-up cost him his wicket. Taylor is playing calculated cricket with singles. He hit one boundary through point. Elliott has started off cautiously. The Kiwis have scored 25/1 in the last five overs. This is a good chance for their middle and lower order to spend some time out in the middle. They require just 28 off 20 overs.
OUT! Against the run of play Guptill is run out! MJ Guptill run out 57 (76b 7×4 0x6) , After 26.4 overs, New Zealand 143/3 (Taylor 7)
Guptill punches it to point and straightaway sets off for a single. There is confusion and he stops but then he decides to complete the run. The point fielder , najibullah, misses. But Shenwari from short mid-wicket shows good presence of mind, collects the throw and knocks down the stumps. Guptill is struggling and replays show he was well short.
Grant Elliott is the new batsman.
FIFTY for Guptill!
Guptill gets to his 22nd ODI fifty off 69 balls. He’s played a patient innings so far. Six fours in his innings so far. NZ 134/2 (25)
After 25 overs, New Zealand 134/2 (Guptill 50, Taylor 5)
It’s just raining singles and singles at the moment. Guptill, finally took the risk and lofted one over mid on for a boundary off Dawlat to move on to 49. He then brought up his 22nd ODI fifty with a single. 69 balls it took him to reach his fifty. It’s been a patient innings but he is getting much-needed time out in the middle. Earlier, he was getting starts but douldn’t continue but this will do his confidence a whole lot of good. Just 17 runs off the last five overs, just a single boundary off it.
After 20 overs, New Zealand 116/2 (Guptill 38, Taylor 0)
Williamson was looking good with a couple of fours, one off a flick through square leg and other off a chip over mid-wicket. But he again got bogged down a bit. Nabi brought back Shapoor and he struck straight away to remove Williamson. Guptill then follows up with a much-needed four with a pull over mid-wicket. Ross Taylor gets beaten on his drive off the first ball he faces off Shapoor. 28/1 off the last five overs.
OUT! Soft dismissal for Williamson! KS Williamson c Samiullah Shenwari b Shapoor Zadran 33 (45b 4×4 0x6) . After 18.4 overs, New Zealand 111/2 (Guptill 33)
Short from Shapoor on off, Williamson rocks back and pulls it straight to mid-wicket. The batsmen were bogged down a bit and it seemed as if Williamson was looking impatient at the crease. A much-needed wicket for Afghanistan.
Birthday boy Ross Taylor is the new batsman.
After 15 overs, New Zealand 89/1 (Guptill 26, Williamson 19)
Things going at snail’s pace. The Kiwis are dealing in just singles. Just the one four from Williamson. Shenwari and Zadran are bowling disciplined lines. There was a huge LBW shout against Williamson off Dawlat but the umpire turned it down. Replays showed there was an inside edge. NZ still scoring at 5 runs an over, 25 off the last 5 overs.
After 10 overs, New Zealand 68/1 (Guptill 21, Williamson 3)
The fall of McCullum slowed down proceedings. McCullum had hit a six and a four off Nabi but then departed the next ball. Afghanistan then bowled three frugal overs, two of them maidens and one costing just two runs. Guptill then releases the pressure with three boundaries off Hassan. 29/1 in the last five overs. This is a slightly different approach from NZ and a sensible one too. They are not going bang, bang, Rather, playing calculated cricket.
Three maidens in eight overs by the Afghanistan bowlers #nzvafg
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) March 8, 2015
OUT! Nabi gets his revenge! BB McCullum b Mohammad Nabi 42 (19b 6×4 1×6). After 5.5 overs, New Zealand 53/1 (Guptill 9)
McCullum hits Nabi for a four and a huge six. Nabi then delivers a length delivery on off, it spins back in. McCullum goes for a pull but it’s not a length to pull and he ends up dragging it onto the stumps. Afghanistan will heave a sigh of relief.
Kane Williamson is the new batsman.
After 5 overs, New Zealand 41/0 (McCullum 30, Guptill 9 )
The Kiwis have got off to a brisk start but that’s not new in this tournament. McCullum hammers the fiirst ball he faces ovr the head of Dawlat for a four and then cracks one through mid on for consecutive fours in the first over. Guptill plays out a maiden off Shapoor. Hamid Hassan is brought into the attack and he bowls a yorker which McCullum fails to dig. There is a huge appeal for a caught behind, the umpire refers it upstairs but replays show that he got an under edge onto the ground. Hassan then induces an outside edge off McCullum the next ball but it flies wide of the slip cordon for a streaky boundary. McCullum then smashes one which falls inches short of the mid off fielder but then he finally gets one right as he ends Hassan’s over by spanking it straight back over his head for a thumping four. Guptill then gets into the act as he drives one straight back past Shapoor for a boundary and McCullum follows up with a thumping boundary over extra cover. Six fours in the first five overs.
That’s it! Afghanistan 186 all out!
OUT! Milne takes a brilliant catch at long on to send back Hassan. A good bowling performance from New Zealand but they could have done better after restricting Afghans to 59/6. Vettori wreaked havoc and ended up with four wickets but Najibullah and Shenwari launched tremendous counterattack to pull Afghanistan out of inertia. The two added 87 for the seventh wicket and got half centuries each to propel Afghanistan to some sort of respectability. The Kiwis have a relatively easy task here but they should make sure that they don’t stutter just like against Scotland and Australia!
OUT! Anderson removes the set Shenwari! Samiullah Shenwari c Taylor b Anderson 54 (110b 5×4 1×6) . After 45.2 overs, Afghanistan 166/9 (Hassan 0)
Short on middle and leg from Anderson, cramps Shenwari for room. Shenwari goes back and looks to pull but gets a top edge to square leg. He gets a standing ovation as he walks off.
Shapoor Zadran is the last man in.
FIFTY for Shenwari!
Shenwari gets to his 50 off 105 balls. A very good innings under pressure so far. Calm & composed. Five fours and one six in his innings so far.
After 45 overs, Afghanistan 166/8 (Shenwari 0, Hassan 0)
After being slow and steady, Shenwari finally opens up as he hammers Anderson over deep mid-wicket for a six. Yes, he is capable of lusty hittimg as we saw against Scotland. He then goes for another one but miscues it high in the air, it falls in no man’s land. Shenwari then gets to his fifty off 105 balls. 16 runs and a wicket off the last five overs. Shenwari has played a really good inns so far and now he will be looking to up the ante. He has the capability to hit long ones! Boult finishes off with 10-2-34-3.
AFGH are the only team that haven't posted a 100+ partnership this WC. Najibullah and Samiullah came close with an 86-run stand.#CWC15
— Bishen Jeswant (@bishen_jeswant) March 8, 2015
OUT! Foolish cricket from Dawlat! Dawlat Zadran c Ronchi b Boult 1 (5b 0x4 0x6) , After 41.1 overs, Afghanistan, 151/8 (Shenwari 39)
Boult picks up his 3rd wicket. Length delivery outside off, Dawlat goes for a wild swing but gets an outside edge to the keeper. Shenwari is at the other end, Dawlat should have just given him the strike and let him do the rest as he is the set batsman. Another innings of foolishness from Dawlat.
Hamid Hassan is the new batsman.
Afghanistan have more runs than Australia and England managed against New Zealand #CWC15
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) March 8, 2015
After 40 overs, Afghanistan 150/7 (Shenwari 39, Dawlat 1)
A decent Batting Powerplay for Afghanistan, 29/1 during that period. Najibullah starts it off with a six over long on off Southee. He then cracks Milne through point for a four and then hammmers a couple of fours off Elliott to bring up his fifty off 52 balls. Shenwari has the sedate role but against the run of play, Najibullah departs. The 150 is up for Afghanistan and there is a loud cheer in the stands. Shenwari is the key to Afghanistan posting 220 or 230.
OUT! Najibullah departs after a fine knock! Najibullah Zadran c Vettori b Milne 56 (56b 8×4 2×6). After 38.3 overs, Afghanistan 145/6 (Shenwari 35)
It’s short and wide outside off from Milne, Najibullah stays in his crease and slashes at it, he gets an outside edge straight into the hands of Vettori at third man. A timely wicket for the Kiwis, not what the Afghans wanted. Nevertheless, a fine innings comes to an end. 56 off 56 balls.
Dawlat Zadran is the new batsman
FIFTY for Naibullah!
Najibullah brings up his 2nd ODI fifty with a four. Fifty off 52 balls, a crucial inns this from him. Seven fours and two sixes in his innings so far……
Shenwari receiving a bit of treatment an over after being hit. But he stays out there. http://t.co/Qk8RBOSSpG #NZvAFG pic.twitter.com/GgHTSv35oM
— CODE Cricket (@codecricketau) March 8, 2015
After 35 overs, Afghanistan 121/6 (Shenwari 22, Najibullah 35)
Things have considerably slowed down after that counterattack.Just 13 runs off the last five overs. But no wickets lost which is the key. Najibullah got the solo four in that five over period. It was an outside edge to third man. Shenwari then got hit on the helmet by an Anderson bouncer which creates a massive dent in his helmet. We have the Batting Powerplay now and both Najibullah and Shenwari would be looking to up the ante.
Vettori's 10-over spell today was most economical at this World Cup (10-4-18-4). Next best is R Ashwin's 10-1-25-4 vs UAE in Perth.
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) March 8, 2015
After 30 overs, Afghanistan 108/6 (Shenwari 31, Najibulah 27)
Straight after the counterattack, Vettori bowls a maiden. Things have calmed down a bit. Shenwari then cracks one through covers off Corey Anderson. But he survives a run out as a another of his cover drive is brilliantly stopped by Guptill, Shenwari sets off for a single but is sent back, Guptill misses his shy. Had that hit, Shenwari was a goner. Vettori finishes off with just 3 runs off his last over. What a spell – 10-4-18-4. 15 runs off the last five overs.
After 25 overs, Afghanistan 95/6 (Shenwari 20, Najibullah 25)
Well, here is a stunning counterattack from Afghanistan. Najibullah leading the way. He at first cracks a couple of crunching fours off Milne. Shenwari then joins the party as he sweeps one off Vettori for a boundary. Najibullah then clubs one over mid on off Milne and then hits Vettori through extra cover for another four. McCullum brings back Southee and Najibullah just hammers him out of the ground over deep mid-wicket for a huge six. Southee then delivers a slower one next up and Najibullah skies his heave high in the air, Guptill at mid-wicket drops it! Shenwari then drives the next ball through mid off for four. 30 runs off the last 5 overs.
After 20 overs, Afghanistan 59/6 (Shenwari 10, Najibullah 0)
Afghanistan is absolute tatters, they have lost three wickets for 10 runs in the last five overs. Shenwari is playng sensibly and is defending well but the other batsmen as playing too late and it’s risky to play Vettori too late. Najibullah averts Vettori’s hat-trick as he defends one off the front foot. McCullum had a Test field for the hat-trick ball.
Totally standard ODI field for Vettori's HATTRICK ball... #bbccricket @AltCricket pic.twitter.com/EFEUsYIBmJ
— Ben Thapa (@BenThapa82) March 7, 2015
OUT! 2 in 2 for Vettori! Zazai gets a golden duck. Afsar Zazai lbw b Vettori 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) . After 19.4 overs, Afghanistan 59/6 (Shenwari 10)
A touch full this time from Vettori from round the wicket and it’s a quicker one too. Zazai is pushed back in his defense and he misses it. They all go up in an appeal and the umpire lifts his finger.
Najibullah Zadran is the new batsman.
OUT! Vettori is brought back and he strikes again! Mohammad Nabi c Taylor b Vettori 6 (15b 0x4 0x6). After 19.4 overs, Afghanistan 59/5 (Shenwari 10)
Length delivery outside off from Vettori, it’s a tad quicker, Nabi rocks back and looks to cut but gets an outside edge to first slip where Taylor takes a good reflex catch. Wicket no. 301 for Vettori.
Afsar Zazai is the new batsman.
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