ICC World Cup 2019: Twitter Reacts as New Zealand Beats Afghanistan Convincingly

New Zealand have made a stunning start to their ICC World Cup 2019 campaign as they beat Afghanistan in their third game at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton. With this win, the Kiwis strengthened their position at the top of the points table with six points from three matches. 

Kiwis are on a roll

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New Zealand sustained an early blow losing Martin Guptill in the first ball during the chase. It was a quickish back-of-a-length delivery from Aftab Alam, which Guptill pokes off a leading edge to point. Colin Munro then partnered with skipper Kane Williamson to bail the Kiwis out. Colin Munro looked good hitting four boundaries but Alam struck for the second time to remove Munro have New Zealand at 41 for two in 7.5 overs. Once Munro was out, senior cricketers Ross Taylor and Williamson took control of the things.

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The pair added 89 runs for the third wicket to set the platform the run chase. Williamson led the charge while Taylor departed two short of his fifty. Aftab Alam had a good day in business as he claimed his third wicket. The New Zealand skipper remained unbeaten on 79 runs to see off the target with seven wickets in hand.

Previously, Afghanistan openers Hazratullah Zazai and Noor Ali Zadran started well and New Zealand skipper Kane Willamson put them to bat first. They were 61 for no loss after the first ten and this was only the fourth instance of them scoring these many runs against a full member in an ODI. New Zealand were sloppy as they allowed Zazai to get away with skiers twice before Neesham broke the stand. Afghanistan lost three wickets without adding to the score as they slipped to 66 for 3.

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It became even worse when they lost another after adding just four with Rahmat Shah and Gulbadin Naib falling without making an impact. Two rain stoppages too hurt Afghanistan as they had to go off the field just when Mohammad Nabi and Hashmatullah Shahidi looked set. After the second break, James Neesham cleaned up Nabi and Najibullah Zadran to leave the opponents wobbling at 109 for 6. He single-handedly wiped out the middle-order and completed his five-wicket haul with the wicket of Najibullah. Shahidi was the lone batsman to cross the 50-run mark as Afghanistan managed to post 172 runs.

Read More: ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (Match 13): Afghanistan vs New Zealand – Statistical Highlights

Twitter Reactions:

It'd be a massive shame if Afghanistan doesn't win at least one game at this World Cup considering the kind of facilities that they've enjoyed from @BCCI #AfgvNZ

— TCB ❁ (@TheCricketBrain) June 8, 2019

Batting at no. 5 b4 @MohammadNabi007, Najib & @ikramalikhil15, bowling despite being expensive, and solely using both batting & bowling reviews r clear signs of selfishness by the skipper @GbNaib. He is definitely not a team player & shouldn’t be the captain #AFGvNZ #AfghanAtalan

— Mohad Zah (@MohadZah) June 8, 2019

Caption this ?
Game of spirit, brotherhood #CWC19 #AFGvNZ pic.twitter.com/2VpFlNvLGf

— # Tag (@IamQamarRiaz) June 8, 2019

I don't know what is Williamson doing
Playing at 50 strike rate in every match
Not good idea #AFGvNZ

— THOMAS SHELBY (@rajivrao29) June 8, 2019

Mere khayal se ab tak tou Afg Cricket team ko tou unki aukaat yaad aa gayi hogi. Itne chowray hogaye thay Pak ko warm up mein hara kar. #AFGvNZ

— Adnan. (@CharasMate) June 8, 2019

#kanewilliamson ???? #AFGvNZ #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS

— Anam J (@Anamj23) June 8, 2019

Wishing u a speedy recovery Champ! @rashidkhan_19 #CWC19 #AFGvNZ https://t.co/Xo6pQosF4g

— Mustafa Ismail (@MustiMachine) June 8, 2019

With kane at crease we'll cruise it #CWC19 #AFGvNZ #BackTheBlackCaps pic.twitter.com/Oxo0P11ii6

— Jack Burgess (@burgessjack95) June 8, 2019

Yeah! It's been the tournament #CWC19 for 1st over dismissals so far. May be this can be attributed to d batsmen nerves at the beginning of the innings. Batsmen should be cautious & keep watching the ball closely for the first 3 – 4 overs #CricketKaCrown #AFGvNZ @StarSportsIndia https://t.co/x6jAGDvuGr

— Praveen Balusu (@PraveenBalusu1) June 8, 2019

NZ again have to rely on Rosco and Kane, get these two wickets soonest and win the game.. 14 overs is a long wit for your best bowler to put in attack that too defending a low total.. Cmon Afg!! #AFGvNZ

— Himanshu Shinde (@HimanJadduboy) June 8, 2019

It’s going be a serious struggle for Afghanistan – Rahmat is an acceptable part-timer, but as a 5th bowler bowling 10 overs he doesn’t inspire confidence. #GulbadinNaib is frontloading the innings with his main 4 & hoping for the best.#AFGvNZ?????@guerillacricket @GuerillaSA

— Nakul Pande (@NakulMPande) June 8, 2019

Fair play to Nabi. He looks utterly pissed off fielding in front of us, clearly wants to get on the Motorway so bowls an over for 11.

We should encourage more of this crowd friendly behaviour. Far better than Kane Williamson's snore fest of an innings. #cwc19 #AFGvNZ

— Chris Holt (@chriswholt) June 8, 2019

https://twitter.com/NasibAtta/status/1137437189292380160