Cricket Highlights, June 7: WC 2024 (Match 14) – Afghanistan vs New Zealand

Afghanistan vs New Zealand (Match 14) – Highlights

In this article, we will discuss Afghanistan’s commanding performance that propelled them to a significant victory over New Zealand by 84 runs in Providence, enhancing their Super Eight chances in the T20 World Cup. 

This win, following their previous 125-run triumph over Uganda, has firmly positioned Afghanistan at the top of Group C with an impressive net run rate of 5.225. We will delve into the key moments of the match, including the remarkable partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, the strategic bowling of Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan, and New Zealand’s struggles throughout the game.

After being put into bat, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran laid a strong foundation with a 103-run partnership in 14.3 overs. This followed their 154-run stand against Uganda, making them the first opening pair to achieve consecutive century partnerships in T20 World Cup history.

Trent Boult found an early swing, but Gurbaz and Ibrahim countered by hitting three fours off Matt Henry in the second over. The batsmen had some luck, with Gurbaz surviving when the ball brushed the leg stump but failed to dislodge the bails, and Ibrahim being dropped by Finn Allen.

Further chances went begging for New Zealand. Gurbaz narrowly avoided a run-out due to Devon Conway’s fumbled throw. Ibrahim survived an LBW decision on review after being struck by Mitchell Santner, hitting a four off the next ball to keep Afghanistan’s momentum going, ending the powerplay at 44 for no loss.

New Zealand’s decision to use offspinner Michael Bracewell against two right-handers paid off initially, with Bracewell conceding only six runs in his first two overs. Lockie Ferguson was similarly economical, giving away just five runs in his first two. Despite these efforts, Afghanistan managed 55 runs in the first ten overs without losing a wicket.

The innings gained pace in the next few overs. Between the eleventh and thirteenth overs, Afghanistan struck five sixes, including three off Bracewell in one over. This surge took Afghanistan past 100 in the 14th over. New Zealand finally made a breakthrough when Ibrahim bottom-edged a ball from Henry onto his stumps.

Azmatullah Omarzai, promoted to No. 3, made a quick 22 off 13 balls, including two sixes off Henry. Mohammad Nabi fell for a golden duck, but Gurbaz continued to score freely. Afghanistan was limited to 159 by Boult’s tight last over, which featured three wickets for only three runs.

Farooqi’s opening delivery set the tone for Afghanistan’s defense, uprooting Finn Allen’s leg stump. In his next over, Conway was caught at extra cover, failing to read the pace off the surface. Farooqi’s third over in the powerplay saw Daryl Mitchell edge a length delivery to Gurbaz, leaving New Zealand at 28 for 3.

With the pitch favoring both seamers and spinners, a target of 160 was always going to be challenging. However, New Zealand’s collapse was unexpected. Fazalhaq Farooqi struck early, taking three wickets in the powerplay, while Rashid Khan claimed three more shortly after. Both bowlers finished with figures of 4 for 17, as New Zealand were bowled out for 75 in 15.2 overs. 

New Zealand’s situation could have been worse, but an LBW review saved Kane Williamson temporarily. Williamson was dismissed by Rashid Khan edge to the first slip after the powerplay. Rashid then struck twice in his next over, bowling Mark Chapman and trapping Bracewell LBW, reducing New Zealand to 43 for 6.

Glenn Phillips, New Zealand’s last hope, hit a couple of boundaries but was caught at long-on trying to attack Nabi. This dismissal extinguished any remaining hopes for New Zealand, sealing Afghanistan’s comprehensive victory.

Afghanistan vs. New Zealand Scoreboard

Afghanistan – 159/6 (20.0)

New Zealand – 75 (15.2)

Result – Afghanistan won by 84 runs 

Player of the match – Rahmanullah Gurbaaz

Rahmanullah Gurbaaz

Afghanistan vs. New Zealand Playing XIs

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