New Zealand reclaimed their top spot on the points table of ODI World Cup by displacing India with a clinical 149-run win over Afghanistan on Wednesday. New Zealand have played quality cricket thus far in the tournament with four back-to-back victories.
Afghanistan, who upset England at Arun Jaitley Stadium, failed to put up a fight with the bat against New Zealand and were bundled out for just 139 while chasing a 289-run target in Chennai.
ICC World Cup: Schedule | Results | Points Table | Most Runs | Most Wickets
The victory gives New Zealand, runners-up at the last two World Cups, a fourth victory in as many games and comfortably on course for the semi-finals.
The 149-run triumph also helped the Kiwis improve their NRR as they have the best in the tournament – +1.923 at this stage.
India, who have slipped to second spot, will look to reclaim the top spot when they face Bangladesh on Thursday in Pune. The Men in Blue are only unbeaten team apart from New Zealand in the tournament, with three consecutive wins.
The Proteas are placed at the third spot on the points table with one loss and two victories. The defeat against Netherlands might have dented their confidence and they need to regroup and bounce back soon in the tournament to remain in the race for Super 4.
Babar Azam-led Pakistan are in fourth place after their loss to India, with four points and an NRR of -0.137. Jos Buttler’s England have slipped to fifth place following their embarrassing loss to Afghanistan, they have two points and an NRR of -0.084.
Bangladesh have won just one game in the tournament and they will also look to move up in table when they face favourites India. It will be an uphill task for them to upset the Men in Blue. The Bangla Tigers have two points and an NRR of -0.699.
Five-time champions Australia are placed at seventh place as they beat Sri Lanka. It was the first win for Pat Cummins and Co. in the ongoing edition., and they have an NRR of -0.734.
The Dutch meanwhile have jumped to eighth place, after picking up their first win in the tournament on Tuesday.
The defeat on Wednesday hurt Afghanistan as they are now slipped to ninth position.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are the only side who have yet to open their tally as they remain rooted to the foot of the table with an NRR of -1.532.
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