Australia fixture might be my last game: Shahid Afridi

New Zealand team’s splendid run in the World T20 continued as they beat Pakistan by 22 runs. With this win, they also march into the  semi-final. It was a great day for cricket as both teams played wonderfully. New Zealand posted 180/5 in 20 overs with the help of Martin Guptill’s match defining 80 runs knock. Pakistan, in reply, were off to a flier with Sharjeel Khan giving a fierce start. But, once his wicket fell the chase went off the tracks and eventually Pakistan could manage only 1558/5 in 20 overs.

Winning Captain Kane Williamson, in the post match conference, said that he hopes to continue with the same winning momentum Williamson said: “It was a very good surface and off the back of Guptill’s superior knocks, the batters played their roles nicely to get a very good score. And then the bowlers kept their composure after a tough start to pull it back. 180 we felt was above par. It’s a good score on any ground. We knew the first six overs will be key and they played very well in that phase but credit to the bowlers to pull it back. The way the guys adjusted on a different surface again was very good. Every game has been tough and again today we were put under a lot of pressure by Pakistan. They’re a good bunch of lads [talking about his team] which is important. T20 cricket is very fickle in it’s nature. Hopefully we can continue to do so. Our strength is to adapt on varying conditions. Still a lot of tough cricket to come.”

Shahid Afridi gave a very saddening hint of him retiring from the game while he was talking to Ramiz Raja. Afridi: “First I want to congratulate NZ. One point it looked like they might touch 200 but our bowlers pulled it back. It looked like a changeable total. We didn’t play well after first six overs. Played a lot of dot balls. Shehzad and Sharjeel started well but we couldn’t play well against the spinners. We keep repeating mistakes and in this format you can’t do that. It might be the last game of my career against Australia. Let’s see how things go.”

Martin Guptill was adjudged as the Man of the Match for his amazing knock. Guptill said: “Just a precautionary measure [him staying off the field]. We found early that the wicket was a bit better than what we have played on so far. So we went through with our shots. Bowlers came out and did their job well. I try to keep playing the same way. Can’t change my game. Certain times you do need to adapt but I back myself. New ball comes on a bit more so it’s easier. We are playing good cricket at this stage and hope to keep doing the same.”