In a historic clash at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, Afghanistan secured a stunning 84-run victory over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2024. This win marked Afghanistan's first-ever triumph over the Blackcaps, a feat powered by exceptional performances from their bowlers and a crucial innings by Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Afghanistan's Innings
- Score: 159/6 in 20 overs
Top Performers:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 80 runs off 56 balls
- Ibrahim Zadran: 44 runs off 41 balls
- Azmatullah Omarzai: 22 runs off 13 balls
New Zealand's Bowling:
- Trent Boult: 2/22
- Matt Henry: 2/37
- Lockie Ferguson: 1/28
Afghanistan started cautiously, posting just 55 runs in the first ten overs. However, they accelerated in the latter half, thanks to Gurbaz's explosive 80 and Zadran's solid 44. Omarzai's quickfire 22 provided the final push to set a competitive total.
New Zealand's Innings
- Score: 75 all out in 15.2 overs
Top Performers:
- Glenn Phillips: 18 runs
- Matt Henry: 12 runs
Afghanistan's Bowling:
- Fazalhaq Farooqi: 4/17
- Rashid Khan: 4/17
- Mohammad Nabi: 2/16
New Zealand's chase was derailed early by Farooqi, who claimed three wickets in the powerplay. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi then dismantled the middle order, leading to a comprehensive victory for Afghanistan.
Brief Recap
| Afghanistan | 159/6 (20 overs) |
|---|---|
| Top Batsmen | Rahmanullah Gurbaz 80, Ibrahim Zadran 44 |
| Top Bowlers | Trent Boult 2/22, Matt Henry 1/37 |
| New Zealand | 75 all out (15.2 overs) |
| Top Batsmen | Glenn Phillips 18, Matt Henry 12 |
| Top Bowlers | Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/17, Rashid Khan 4/17 |
Post-Match Reactions
- Afghanistan Captain Rashid Khan
"Yeah, it was a great performance from us. The way they played, didn't throw their wickets. They think to take it deep, overall a great win for Afghanistan. The bowling we have, we knew we can make it hard for any side. Farooqi has given us great starts with early wickets, and that has helped our spinners to come in and attack from the word go."
- New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson
"Yeah, look, firstly, congratulations to Afghanistan. They outplayed us in all facets of the game. Our performance was not good enough. We need to put this performance behind us and look forward to the next one. With the bat in hand, you want to get a partnership together. They were excellent."
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- Player of the Match Rahmanullah Gurbaz
"I think, nothing special than the win. We waited three years for this. The wicket was not easy, the total that we got was good. Credit to bowlers, the way they bowled against a world-class team like New Zealand."
Key Moments in the Match
- Farooqi's Early Strikes: Farooqi's spell in the powerplay set the tone for Afghanistan's defense, removing key New Zealand batsmen early.
- Rashid Khan's Magic: Rashid's consistent pressure and wicket-taking deliveries crushed New Zealand's hopes of a comeback.
- Gurbaz's Anchor Role: Gurbaz's innings laid the foundation for a competitive total, with crucial partnerships and aggressive strokes.
Match Summary
Afghanistan's dominant performance in both batting and bowling secured them a historic win over New Zealand. This victory not only boosts their confidence but also puts them in a strong position in the T20 World Cup 2024.
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