New Zealand complete semi-final line-up with victory over Afghanistan

The Kiwis join Pakistan, England and Australia in the last four after an eight-wicket win in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Afghanistan 124-8, New Zealand 125-2 - New Zealand won by eight wickets

Scorecard

New Zealand eased into the semi-finals of the men's T20 World Cup after beating Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

Kane Williamson's side join Pakistan, England and Australia in the last four after a routine eight-wicket success.

The result sees Afghanistan exit the tournament and ends India's hopes of progressing ahead of them facing Namibia in the final Super 12s match on Monday (November 8).

Afghanistan were always struggling after making just 124 for 8 from their 20 overs.

Trent Boult, Adam Milne and Tim Southee all made early inroads to leave the Afghans 19 for 3 in the sixth over.

Naijibullah Zadran led the rebuild with his sixth T20I fifty, and second in the competition, with a career-best 73 from 48 deliveries.

He and captain Mohammad Nabi put on 59 for the fifth wicket to give the innings some respectability but Boult (3 for 17) returned to stifle in the death overs.

The Kiwis would have taken the prospect of chasing 125 at the start of play and they immediately set about the task with positive intent.

Martin Guptill (28) was bowled by Rashid Khan after Daryl Mitchell (17) had been caught behind off the returning Mujeeb ur Rahman.

Williamson restored calm with a poised 40* from 42 balls and alongside Devon Conway (36) the Black Caps sauntered their way to victory and into the semi-finals for the third time in seven editions.

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