"New Zealand are galloping towards the semi-final" - Aakash Chopra on the Kiwis' 'one-sided' World Cup 2023 win vs Bangladesh
Aakash Chopra reckons New Zealand are marching towards a semifinal berth in World Cup 2023 after their emphatic win against Bangladesh in Chennai on Friday, October 13.
The Kiwis restricted the Tigers to 245/9 after asking them to set a target on a batter-friendly pitch. The 2019 World Cup finalists then chased down the target with eight wickets and 43 deliveries to spare to register their third consecutive win to climb atop the points table.
While reviewing the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that the Black Caps are steadfastly moving towards the semifinals. He said:
"New Zealand have won three out of three games. New Zealand are galloping towards the semi-final, that they will reach their first. They have a wish like that. We will see if they reach before us."
The former India opener highlighted that virtually all Black Caps batters, including the returning Kane Williamson, were among the runs. He elaborated:
"Kane Williamson is back and he scored runs as soon as he came. Daryl Mitchell also scored runs and before that Devon Conway was also playing well. Rachin Ravindra did get out but it didn't make any difference. New Zealand won an extremely one-sided match."
Chopra expects New Zealand to comfortably make it through to the knockout stages. He stated:
"They wear black clothes but they are not the dark horse. They are actually serious contenders to reach the semi-finals and they will reach there as well. They are looking like a very good team. They will reach there easily."
The reputed commentator reckons India and South Africa will be two of the other three semifinalists. He expects either England or Pakistan to be the fourth team to make the grade.
However, he added that the Men in Green will have to beat India if they want to reach the semis, highlighting they are not looking as good a team as they seemed before the tournament
"If you make so few runs, how will you win the match?" - Aakash Chopra on Bangladesh's defeat
![Mushfiqur Rahim was the only half-centurion in Bangladesh's innings. [P/C: AP]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/10/6cfc0-16972610326454-1920.jpg?w=500)
Reflecting on Bangladesh's loss, Aakash Chopra pointed out that a below-par batting performance cost them the game. He elaborated:
"It was actually a very good pitch for batting. If you make so few runs, how will you win the match? Lockie Ferguson bowled at an amazing speed and Trent Boult destroyed them. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan scored runs and in the end, Mahmudullah also scored runs, but you didn't have enough runs to beat New Zealand."
Mushfiqur Rahim (66), Mahmudullah (41*), and Shakib Al Hasan (40) were the only Bangladesh players to cross the 30-run mark. While Lockie Ferguson (3/49) was New Zealand's most successful bowler, Trent Boult and Matt Henry snared two wickets apiece.