In a stunning turn of events at Providence Stadium, Afghanistan delivered a resounding victory over New Zealand in their T20 World Cup encounter on Saturday. The match, marked by Afghanistan’s exceptional all-round performance, saw them clinch a convincing win by defending a total of 159 runs.
Opting to bat first after New Zealand won the toss, Afghanistan’s innings was anchored by a stellar knock from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored a blistering 80 runs off 56 balls. His innings included five boundaries and an equal number of maximums, setting the stage for a competitive total despite consistent bowling pressure from New Zealand’s Trent Boult and Matt Henry, who each claimed two wickets.
In response, New Zealand faltered significantly during their chase, crumbling under the relentless bowling attack of Afghanistan. Chasing 160 for victory, New Zealand managed only 75 runs before being bowled out in 15.2 overs. Their struggle was evident as only two batsmen, Glenn Phillips (18 off 18 balls) and Matt Henry (12 off 17 balls), reached double figures. Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi led the charge with a superb four-wicket haul, striking early by dismissing Finn Allen on the first ball of the innings. Captain Rashid Khan mirrored Farooqi’s success with another four-wicket haul, dismantling New Zealand’s middle and lower order.
“This victory is one of our greatest performances in T20I cricket against a formidable opponent,” remarked Rashid Khan, expressing pride in his team’s achievement. “Our batting set a competitive total, and our bowlers executed brilliantly to defend it. It’s a privilege to lead this side to such a significant win.”
The victory marks Afghanistan’s second win in the ongoing T20 World Cup, following their triumph over Uganda in the tournament opener. Meanwhile, New Zealand, playing their first match in the event, faced a sobering defeat despite their bowling efforts earlier in the day.
With this win, Afghanistan positions itself strongly in Group A of the premier cricket tournament, underscoring their potential as a competitive force to reckon with in the international cricketing arena.
Teams:
Afghanistan (Playing XI):
Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan(c), Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
New Zealand (Playing XI):
Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Kane Williamson(c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson.
The T20 World Cup action continues as teams prepare for their upcoming fixtures, with Afghanistan setting a formidable precedent in the competition with their recent outstanding performance.
Leave a Reply