New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson expressed his happiness after his side defeated Scotland in an ICC T20 World Cup 2021 clash in Dubai.
New Zealand inched one step closer to the place in the semi-finals after they thumped Scotland by 16 runs to win their second match of the T20 World Cup 2021.
Batting first, New Zealand was jolted with the early blows and was reduced to 52/3. Martin Guptill along with Glenn Phillips bailed his team out of the trouble and stitched 105 runs partnership for the 4th wicket.
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While Phillips scored 33 runs, Guptill was at his rampaging best and smashed Scotland bowlers all over the park during his 93-run knock to help his team post a total of 172 runs on the board, after a sloppy start.
Defending the target, Trent Boult gave New Zealand a great start as he removed Kyle Coetzer in the third over. Scotland batters then took charge of the bowlers and ensured that they didn't fall behind and reached 76/2 at the halfway stage of their chase.
They fought tooth and nail to reach close to New Zealand’s target but in the end fell short by 16 runs as the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Adam Milne bowled brilliantly at the end end of the innings to help their team register the second win of the mega event.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson lauded Scotland for the fight they showed.
He also praised Martin Guptill for his innings, saying that his side needed him to step up and his partnership along with Glenn Phillips was necessary for them to get a good total.
"We certainly knew coming into this tournament that there were match-winners all around. It ebbed and flowed and we got a good first innings total. We were patchy with the ball but we need to move on. Credit to Scotland for the way they played and hit the ball out of the park.
“We were tested and we need to learn from this. Guptill is a power player. He is hitting the ball beautifully. We really needed his innings. Also, Glenn Phillips and that partnership was necessary to get us to a good total," Kane Williamson said at the post-match presentation.
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Williamson looked forward to recovering as working on the next challenge. He noted that his team needs to adjust better to surfaces, adding that the match against Namibia is "the only game that matters" now.
"A quick turnaround now, recover as quickly as possible for the next challenge. There are always things to work on, and there are definitely a few things we want to touch on. We need to adjust quickly to surfaces. It was a hard-fought match. We will go to Sharjah and take it from there.
“Every game is valuable and we know we try and prepare as well as possible for all of them. The next game is the only game that matters. For us it is all about playing the cricket we want to play and stay committed to that," he said.
New Zealand will next take on Namibia in their T20 World Cup clash at Sharjah on 5th November, while Scotland will face Team India on the same day in Dubai.
(ANI inputs)
