ISLAMABAD: Falling of Afghanistan’s wickets with regular intervals helped New Zealand to beat the Afghan side by 149 runs in the ICC World Cup contest being played at Chennai, India, on Wednesday. Almost all regular bowlers of New Zealand managed to take wickets and restricted Afghan batters.
Chasing a target of 289-run to win, Afghanistan openers took a slow start, unlike their natural game. As a result, they lost the first wicket on 27 in the 6th over when the inform Rahmanullah Gurbaz went for 11 runs on 27 balls. Without adding a score, the second opener, Ibrahim Zadran, also got out in the next over on 14. Losing two quick wickets on 27-run, Afghan batters came under pressure and lost their 3rd wicket on 43 in the 14th over.
Meanwhile, the middle order showed some resistance as Rehmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai added 54 runs partnership to the total. However, Azmat was removed by Boult on a slow bouncer on 27 to get the fourth success for the Kiwis. Later, Rehmat Shah also got out while scoring 36 runs on 62 balls. At the stage, Afghanistan were 107 for 5 in the 29th over. From there, it seemed difficult for Afghanistan to chase a huge target with a high run rate.
In the 30th over, Muhammad Nabi also got out on 7 runs, while the batting side lost their 7th wicket on 134 in the 34th over when Rashid Khan was caught at cover on 8 on the bowling of Ferguson. Furgeson dismissed Najeeb in the same over. At the stage, Afghanistan were 138 for 8 in 34 overs. In the next over, Santner dismissed Naveen and Farooqi to register the victory Against Afghanistan by 149 runs in the 35th over. After the win, New Zealand settled at the top of the points table with 8 points in the four matches.
From New Zealand, Ferguson was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets in his 7 overs spill. Santner also got three wickets. Trent Boult took two wickets, while Henry and Ravindra took one wicket each.
New Zealand Batting
Earlier, winning the toss, Afghanistan decided to bowl first. The Kiwis’ openers, Devon Conway and Will Young, took a watchful start in the first 6 overs. However, in 7th over, when the score reached 30, the inform and last match player of the match Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, managed to remove Conway on 20. Conway was replaced by Rachin Ravindra who along with Young, pushed the scoreboard ahead. Young also completed his brilliant half-century. In the 21st over, Azamatullah Umarzi dismissed Young on 54. It was the time when Afghanistan came back in the game, as these two-three overs were more lethal for the Kiwis. In the same over, Azam removed Ravindra on 32. The next over of Rashid witnessed the dismissal of inform Daryl Mitchel on just 1 run.
Losing three quick wickets took the Kiwis under pressure and it was predicted at the stage that they would hardly put below 230 in 50 overs. However, the middle order batters Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips managed to hold their nerves, faced the pressure, and stayed on the crease. Both completed their splendid half-centuries and put Afghanistan in a defensive mood. As a result, Afghanistan came under pressure, and their fielders dropped 4 to 5 catches, making it easier for the two batters to accelerate the inning. Both shared a splendid 144 partnership for the side when finally Naveen got rid of Philips. He scored 71 runs on 80 balls, including 4 sixes and four boundaries. At the stage, New Zealand were 254 for 5 in 47.1 overs to bring some relief for Afghanistan. Naveen dismissed Tom Latham in the same over, who scored 68 of 74. Number seven and 8th batters Mark Chapman and Mitchell Santner added some quick runs to the total in the remaining three overs. New Zealand scored 288 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 50 overs.
From Afghanistan, Azmatullah and Naveen-ul-Haq got two wickets each, while Rashid and Mujeeb took one wicket each.
New Zealand Team
Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c)†, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Trent Boult
Afghanistan Team
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ikram Alikhil †, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq
