2019 World Cup, Match 13: Dominant New Zealand crush Afghanistan to top table

Kane Williamson and James Neesham starred with bat and ball respectively as New Zealand eased past Afghanistan, who were without Rashid Khan for one part of the game, with a seven-wicket victory which ensured they maintain their clean slate, in a rain-interrupted World Cup tie on Saturday.

After asking Afghanistan to bat first, Neesham racked up his first maiden five-wicket haul as he returned career-best figures of 5/31 to bundle the opponents out for a paltry 172.

Chasing the modest target, Kiwis skipper Williamson led from the front with an unbeaten 79 off 99 balls, his innings laced with nine fours, as New Zealand won with 107 balls to spare.

Afghanistan lost star leg-spinner Rashid who was ruled out after their innings as a precautionary measure after the 20-year-old was hit on the head on the helmet as he got out in the first essay.

Table toppers New Zealand have now won all three of their matches, having six points and a net run rate of +2.163.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, succumbed to their third straight defeat and remained at the foot of the 10-team points table.