New Zealand showcased their prowess with a resounding nine-wicket victory over Uganda in the T20 World Cup on Saturday (IST), though the big win is a mere consolation for the Kiwis who are already out of reckoning for the 'Super 8s'.
The Kiwi pace duo of Trent Boult (2/7) and Tim Southee (3/4) wreaked havoc, skittling Uganda for a paltry 40 in 18.4 overs, missing the lowest total in the tournament's history by a solitary run.
T20 WORLD CUP: Schedule Points Table
Uganda's struggles with the bat continued, having been dismissed for the joint-lowest team total of 39 against West Indies earlier in the tournament. The disparity between the minnows and the top-tier nations has been starkly evident throughout the competition.
New Zealand's opener Devon Conway (22 not out off 15, 4x4s) led the charge in the modest chase, securing the Kiwis' first win of the tournament in a mere 5.2 overs. However, the victory came too late for New Zealand, who failed to reach the semifinals for the first time in a decade after losses to Afghanistan and hosts West Indies.
The Kiwi bowlers capitalized on the prodigious swing in the powerplay, conceding a meager 9/3. Boult set the tone with two wickets in the first over, while Southee claimed the third in the fourth.
Spinners Mitchell Santner (2/8) and Rachin Ravindra (2/9), along with pacer Lockie Ferguson (1/9), joined the wicket-taking spree.
Southee returned to claim two more scalps in the 18th over, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick. Kenneth Waiswa (11) was the lone Ugandan batter to reach double figures.
