Fazalhaq Farooqi. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Afghanistan continued their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign by taking on New Zealand. Both sides locked horns at the Providence Stadium, Guyana on Saturday, June 8. The clash began with Afghanistan coming in to bat first after losing the toss.
The side got off to an exceptional start to the game as openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran scored 80 and 44 runs, respectively. Azmatullah Omarzai added 22 more runs to the board. However, after the top order’s brilliance, none of the other batters amounted to much.
Rashid Khan & Co were limited to a total of 159 runs in the first innings as New Zealand paved their way back into the game. Trent Boult and Matt Henry were the highest wicket takers for New Zealand in the first innings, with two wickets each to their names. Lockie Ferguson took one wicket as well.
Afghanistan’s exceptional bowling stumps New Zealand
Aiming to chase down a target of 160 runs, the Kiwis got off to a horrid start to the target. Finn Allen and Devon Conway departed for zero and eight runs, respectively. Followed by Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, who added nine and five runs on the board, respectively.
Glenn Phillips was the highest run-getter for the BlackCaps in the second innings with a run-a-ball 18, with Matt Henry scoring 12 runs. The Afghans’ brilliant bowling attack saw New Zealand getting bundled out for just 75 runs.
Rashid Khan was the star of the show for Afghanistan, taking four wickets in four overs. Rashid just conceded 17 runs in the process. Furthermore, Fazalhaq Farooqi also took four wickets as Rashid with Mohammad Nabi striking twice as Afghanistan won the game by 84 runs and registered their second win of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Also Check: T20 World Cup 2024: NZ vs AFG – Who said What?
Here’s how X reacted to the game:
Superb all-round performance from the men in blue @ACBofficials. Well played @rashidkhan_19 @RGurbaz_21 @fazalfarooqi10 @IZadran18 @MohammadNabi007 and all the players, staff, fans and the entire nation.
Mubarak mo sha!#NZvAFG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/2OLk58NB5X
— Mirwais Ashraf (@MirwaisAshraf16) June 8, 2024
100+ opening stand by Gurbaz and Ibrahim, Fazalhaq destroying the top order, then Rashid running through the middle order. Top notch professional display from Afghanistan! NZ on the other hand looked extremely under prepared and paid a heavy price. #NZvAFG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/OJ0Oam31MQ
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 8, 2024
Afghanistan has announced their arrival by drubbing NZ by 84 runs. #T20WC24
— Dubious Caesar 🇮🇳 (@CaesarDubious) June 8, 2024
Another huge win for Afghanistan! New Zealand are all out at 15.2 👀 https://t.co/lpl1l6OPbF
— ale (@alexarcello) June 8, 2024
A day to remember, a game to remember for Afghanistan cricket and their fans! 🙌
📸: Disney+Hotstar pic.twitter.com/k2ZieT2rqm
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 8, 2024
What a dominant performance from #Afghanistan team in all three departments, simply outplayed NewZealand.
Congratulations Afghanistan.
Dear Afg give us Rashid Khan and take Azam Khan plus the whole Pak team for free. 😄#AFGvNZ
#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/qlQU8Pvasf
— Maxi (@maxmb121) June 8, 2024
Heartfelt appreciation for this Afghanistan team. Always wanted to see them become this juggernaut of a team. Since that Asia Cup where SL won, they’ve only gone from strength to strength. Their growth however began much before that. Hope they keep going like this. #NZvAFG
— Gaurav Jois (@gaurav_jois) June 8, 2024