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That is all that was written for this game then with New Zealand coming out on the right side of the result. The action continues though in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup as India have begun their innings against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. A certain Ravichandran Ashwin is back in the Indian T20 lineup for the first time in over four years - can he bring about that spark that the side needs to turn their disappointing campaign around? Do switch tabs and follow our coverage of that contest right here on Sportskeeda. Thank you so much for tuning into our coverage of this game and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did bringing it to you. On behalf of my good friend and fellow textpert Pradeep Somashekar, this is Sooryanarayanan Sesha humbly reminding you to mask up and get yourselves vaccinated in case you haven't already. Goodbye and take care!
Staying in the present is what Kane Williamson believes in. And this New Zealand side has stuck to it pretty well alright. They got off to a slow start against Pakistan before humbling India comprehensively and today, while it wasn't that easy, they've managed to get those two points they were after, taking their tally to four overall. As for Scotland, it wasn't to be today but jeez, they've certainly shown why they are an exciting team alright. Quite a performance today across dimensions and who knows what may have transpired with a little more going their way. They might be out of contention for the semifinals but with two big games against India and Pakistan coming up, Kyle Coetzer will be itching for his side to use the opportunity they have to leave a further impression on this tournament.
Kane Williamson (New Zealand Captain): We certainly knew coming into the tournament that it doesn't matter who you face, there are match winners out there. We didn't implode and we did well to get a competitive first innings total. We were patchy with the ball but it's important we move on and focus on the next one. Credit to Scotland for the way they came out firing today. They certainly hit a few out of the park. Martin's a huge player for us at the top of the order. We've been on a variety of surfaces but it was great for him to make that contribution and today we needed it as well. His partnership with Glenn Phillips was massive for us. Quick turnaround now and we will try and recover as soon as possible and look forward to the next challenge. There are always things to work on and always allowances for players who play well. Definitely a few things we want to touch on. There's always a challenge every time you turn up but it was a hard fought match with the ebbs and flows. (On a potential virtual quarterfinal against Afghanistan on Sunday) Every game is valuable - we know that for us, we have to try and play as best as we can. We have a game before that which is very important and it's the only game that matters for now. If we continue to play good cricket it will give us a chance.
Kyle Coetzer (Scotland Captain): We have to go back and look at some opportunities we could have taken. We picked up a couple of wickets in the Powerplay but Guptill played brilliantly for them. Definitely the best wicket we've played on. I prefer giving bowlers just the two overs and change the pace so that the batters don't settle. Mark's very confident at the moment. He trusts himself and uses his skills and the crease to great effect. He backs himself with any of the deliveries he bowls and it showed today. It was (when asked if this was their best game of the Super 12 thus far). We will have to go back and have a look because after the drinks break we were in a good position. We have to extend the game and keep ourselves in the game for a long period of time.
Scotland made a fist of it alright, but alas, they were just left with too much to do. A massive improvement against a top outfit today but alas, Scotland have been eliminated from the race to the semifinals.
Scotland's captain Kyle Coetzer was keen on dictating terms with the blade and took the attack to the Kiwi seamers upfront. A flurry of boundaries later though, he was foxed by a deceptive slower delivery from Trent Boult. Adam Milne had Matthew Cross hopping like a cat on a hot tin roof and started off with a maiden over but the sport continued to show why it remains a great leveler, as Cross took the attack to Milne with five consecutive boundaries in his next over.
Ish Sodhi bowling quite a few in the swinging arc of George Munsey didn't help as the left-hander clubbed him for a couple of big hits. A screamer of a catch at long on from Tim Southee though saw the back of him before the bowlers then got into the game with a stifle of the highest order.
Wickets then fell at regular intervals of time but it was the pressure of the dots that saw the asking rate soar beyond control. It wasn't the tidiest effort on the field from the Kiwis but they had enough cushion to play with. So much so, that Michael Leask's late blitz could all but just delay the inevitable and even the odd loose delivery that traveled to the fence didn't make much of a difference. New Zealand eventually got over the line by 16 runs but they were certainly pushed to the wall by a spirited Scottish side today in Dubai.
Ish Sodhi picked up a couple of wickets while Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers with two of his own. Adam Milne blew hot and cold with a maiden over followed by one where he was carted for 20 runs. Tim Southee made his presence felt too with two catches to go with a wicket and looking at the margin of victory, how valuable were those four overs from Mitchell Santner with just 23 runs coming off them! A decent effort overall from the Kiwis whose win was set up of course, by a sensational 93 from Martin Guptill.
Martin Guptill has been adjudged the Man of the Match for his scintillating innings of 93(56)!
Guptill talking to Michael Atherton says, getting there slightly when Atherton asked about him losing all the gas at the end when he was batting. We didn't have a great start, losing three in the powerplay there, it was a bit of a, not quite a struggle but had to assess the situation up a bit and then put a partnership together. The fact that I've played a lot of cricket with Glenn, we know each other well, we've put up partnerships back home as well. Though needed a few big ones and then we'll up on our way and then Glenn got us a bit of momentum there. Afghanistan have match winners as well and we're not taking anyone lightly here.
And that is that. They were given a scare at different points of time but the Kiwis have made it home. Kudos to Scotland for making a fist of it. This was certainly an entertaining contest alright but at the end of it all, New Zealand beat Scotland by 16 runs!
20
overs
156/5score
1
0
2
4
1
1
runs
Michael Leask
42(20)
Chris Greaves*
8(10)
Adam Milne
0/36
19.6 Adam Milne to Chris Greaves, THAT'S IT! New Zealand get their crucial two points and Scotland goes down fighting here, impressive stuff from them though. Full delivery tails into Greaves on the leg-stump as he backs away and drills it straight to mid-off fielder for a quick single.