AIRLINK 62.48 Increased By ▲ 2.05 (3.39%)
BOP 5.36 Increased By ▲ 0.01 (0.19%)
CNERGY 4.58 Decreased By ▼ -0.02 (-0.43%)
DFML 15.50 Increased By ▲ 0.66 (4.45%)
DGKC 66.40 Increased By ▲ 1.60 (2.47%)
FCCL 17.59 Increased By ▲ 0.73 (4.33%)
FFBL 27.70 Increased By ▲ 2.95 (11.92%)
FFL 9.27 Increased By ▲ 0.21 (2.32%)
GGL 10.06 Increased By ▲ 0.10 (1%)
HBL 105.70 Increased By ▲ 1.49 (1.43%)
HUBC 122.30 Increased By ▲ 4.78 (4.07%)
HUMNL 6.60 Increased By ▲ 0.06 (0.92%)
KEL 4.50 Decreased By ▼ -0.05 (-1.1%)
KOSM 4.48 Decreased By ▼ -0.09 (-1.97%)
MLCF 36.20 Increased By ▲ 0.79 (2.23%)
OGDC 122.92 Increased By ▲ 0.53 (0.43%)
PAEL 23.00 Increased By ▲ 1.09 (4.97%)
PIAA 29.34 Increased By ▲ 2.05 (7.51%)
PIBTL 5.80 Decreased By ▼ -0.14 (-2.36%)
PPL 107.50 Increased By ▲ 0.13 (0.12%)
PRL 27.25 Increased By ▲ 0.74 (2.79%)
PTC 18.07 Increased By ▲ 1.97 (12.24%)
SEARL 53.00 Decreased By ▼ -0.63 (-1.17%)
SNGP 63.21 Increased By ▲ 2.01 (3.28%)
SSGC 10.80 Increased By ▲ 0.05 (0.47%)
TELE 9.20 Increased By ▲ 0.71 (8.36%)
TPLP 11.44 Increased By ▲ 0.86 (8.13%)
TRG 70.86 Increased By ▲ 0.95 (1.36%)
UNITY 23.62 Increased By ▲ 0.11 (0.47%)
WTL 1.28 No Change ▼ 0.00 (0%)
BR100 6,944 Increased By 65.8 (0.96%)
BR30 22,827 Increased By 258.6 (1.15%)
KSE100 67,142 Increased By 594.3 (0.89%)
KSE30 22,090 Increased By 175.1 (0.8%)
Sports

All eyes on New Zealand-Afghanistan clash

  • A win in their final Super 12 match on Sunday will see New Zealand join Pakistan in the last four from Group Two, sending India out of the competition
Published November 6, 2021

New Zealand are aware of the threat posed by Afghanistan's spin attack, but the Black Caps are confident of sealing a semi-final spot in the Twenty20 World Cup with a win in Abu Dhabi, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi said on Saturday.

A win in their final Super 12 match on Sunday will see New Zealand join Pakistan in the last four from Group Two, sending pre-tournament favourites India out of the competition.

"We see it as another game," Sodhi told reporters.

"We've approached almost every game like that so far and hopefully we can do the same tomorrow. Be really clear on what's been working really well for us."

Afghanistan's three-pronged spin attack of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have shown they have the ability to turn any game in their favour, and Sodhi said "that's definitely where their threat lies".

Phillips backs New Zealand top order after leading late charge

"I'm sure all the batsmen during the scouting meeting have taken it into consideration, as well as the threat they bring with the bat," Sodhi said.

"I know we spoke about it in depth this (Saturday) morning with our scouting and things like that. So hopefully we can put together some good performances tomorrow."

Afghanistan's top-order batsman Hashmatullah Shahidi could not confirm if off-spinner Mujeeb, who missed the last two matches against India and Namibia due to injury, will be fit to face New Zealand.

"Our spinners are really good, especially in these conditions," said Shahidi. "We have played a lot of cricket here and we have the benefits. But against the big teams, we need to bat well, too. Batsmen should take more responsibility."

New Zealand boost T20 World Cup semi-final hopes with Namibia win

While Afghanistan will have a chance of going through to the last four with a win against New Zealand, such a result could also clear India's way to the semi-final on superior net run-rate.

Asked about the support of a billion-plus Indians for Sunday's match, Shahidi said: "We only focus on ourselves, our team. Our main focus is how to qualify for the semi-finals ... and we'll do our best."

Comments

Comments are closed.