"How could New Zealand not qualify for the super eight" - Fans shocked by Kiwis' early exit from 2024 T20 World Cup
Afghanistan produced another dominant performance against Papua New Guinea (PNG) to win their third consecutive game in the 2024 T20 World Cup and qualify for the Super Eight. However, the result also meant pre-tournament favorites New Zealand were officially eliminated from the tournament.
The Kiwis lost their second straight outing to the West Indies a day before, leaving them in a precarious spot of needing PNG to upset the Afghans to garner Super Eight hopes. Unfortunately, that was not to be, meaning co-hosts West Indies and the red-hot Afghans are on six points each after three games with New Zealand still on 0 in two matches.
It is the first time the Kiwis have been eliminated from a T20 World Cup before the second round in nine editions. While they have never achieved ultimate glory, New Zealand have been perennial semi-finalists and among the most consistent sides in tournament history.
Their elimination had fans on Twitter stunned with mixed emotions as the following reactions indicate:
The reactions continued to flow in with one fan saying:
"How could New Zealand not qualify for the super eight."
"Afghanistan's win over Papua New Guinea means New Zealand are knocked out of the World Cup. Afghanistan into the next round and New Zealand sent packing. A disaster for the Kiwis," tweeted a fan.
"Still can't figure out, what's went wrong with New Zealand," a fan said.
"I think there's still guys that will be here for some time" - Kane Williamson
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson dismissed the notion of a complete revamp after the side's 13-run defeat to West Indies left them starring down the barrel of a quick elimination from the 2024 T20 World Cup.
With the likes of Williamson, Tim Southee, and Trent Boult playing for over a decade, questions have been raised about blooding a younger team should the side be bounced out early in the competition.
However, during the post-match presentation after the Windies clash, Williamson said:
"I think there's still guys that will be here for some time. I think if we look at the two matches to start off, no doubt they've been disappointing. You come to a world event; you want to start well. And to be honest, we needed to have been better in these conditions specifically."
Before the West Indies defeat, New Zealand received a hammering from Afghanistan in their tournament opener by 84 runs.
While West Indies and Afghanistan advance to the Super Eight from Group C, New Zealand's elimination leaves them still searching for the elusive World Cup title in the white-ball format.