Rashid Khan. (Photo Source: ICC)
Afghanistan entered the match 14 on the back of a win in their previous encounter, as this time they had to face New Zealand at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. Interestingly, the Afghans kept their winning momentum up and running by outplaying the New Zealanders in what turned out to be a rather one-sided encounter after Kane Williamson & Co decision to chase down backfired.
Being put in to bat first, the opening pair of Ibrahimullah Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz did the bulk of the scoring, as only one other batter could score in double digits, as Afghanistan posted 159/6 at the end of the first innings. Trent Boult was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball, finishing his spell with 2/22 including the prized scalp of well-set Gurbaz.
During the chase, the Asian side made sure they made a mark on the very first ball, as Finn Allen was clean bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi. Things only went downhill as the Afghans did not provide any scope for the BlackCaps to make a comeback in the game, eventually winning the game by a huge margin of 84 runs.
Talking Points
Gurbaz-Zadran century stand helps Afghans dominate from get go
The duo of Gurbaz and Zadran once again proved to be the kingpins of setting up a decent total on a slow, turning track. Things weren’t easy, but both put together 103 runs on the board before Zadran got dismissed for 44(41) by Matt Henry on the third ball of the 15th over. Gurbaz kept runs ticking from an end and smashed an 80-run knock studded with five boundaries and as many maximums. Azmatullah Omarzai also chipped in with an important cameo of 22(13).
Farooqi and Rashid freak out the Kiwis
Farooqi’s four-for was a statement by the Afghans that they are truly among the teams to be not taken lightly at all. However, skipper Rashid Khan also displayed a sheer brilliance with the ball, scalping four wickets as well. Both Farooqi and Rashid had individual figures of 4/17 at the end of the game, which eventually promoted Afghanistan on top of the table.
Who Said What?
Winning skipper, Rashid Khan said:
One of our best T20 performances from us, especially against a big team like New Zealand. The wicket wasn’t easy to score, Gurbaz and Ibrahim batted really well, it was a superb performance with the bat, ball and the field. I’m really happy to be leading this team. I was fine with that (on the slow start), we scored 30 odd in the first six overs, we just chatted about going on from there, playing our natural game, keeping the scoreboard ticking and that’s what happened. We knew anything around 160-170, we’ve the bowlers for these wickets – we just needed to hit consistent lines and lengths, Nabi’s second over, that was a positive, there was a bit of spin. If we use our skills, it’s tough to chase down 160 against us. The energy in the field, the effort, the running between the wickets was amazing. Win or lose, we just need to give our 100%, if we don’t give it, we’ll miss something. I don’t worry about the result as long as we put in the effort. He has been giving us the base (on Fazalhaq Farooqi), the way he’s bowled in the two matches has been amazing, he’s very skilful, but he can continue to work on his bases and become even better.
Losing skipper Kane Williamson said:
Yeah, first congrats to AFG, they simply outplayed us in all facets. To get to that total on that surface, they kept their wickets and made a good score. We’ll have to put this behind quickly and get back to our next challenge. The boys did work hard in preparations for this match (on the lack of match practice), but it was hard and we need to move on quickly. Games come thick and fast in this tournament. 160 was a tough chase, but we needed partnerships, the skills they had made it difficult for us (on AFG’s spinners). Our fielding was a let down, particularly in the first 10 overs, we had our chances and we didn’t use them. We need to take a step in the right direction, we know we are better than this, we’ll have to go away and give ourselves the best chance going into the next match. We didn’t take our opportunities and it goes a long way in changing the outcome of the match. Once they had a score, their bowlers executed their skills well. We’ll have a talk about this and then look to come back well in the next match.
Player of the Match Gurbaz said:
Nothing is (more) special than this. We have been waiting for this victory for the last three years. We faced them and they beat us, finally we beat them. The trust and the belief was there from the very start. We had the trust that we can beat any team in this competition. The wicket was not easy, the total was very good, very happy. I was actually a bit frustrated, I didn’t start that well. Ibrahim and I were discussing that we should keep calm and play some good cricket shots. We thought 130-140 would be a good total, but I played some good shots and Azmatullah played very good shots as well. Credit goes to the bowlers as well, they bowled very well against a team like NZ, unbelievable. This is a very good partnership (Ibrahim-Gurbaz) as openers. We have a very good combination. Sometimes (if) it’s not my day, he tries to take on the bowlers. If it’s my day, I tell him to give the strike to me. The conversations go on. You have to encourage the bowlers, as a wicketkeeper, my job is to keep everyone active on the ground. I try to give some energy to the bowlers as well.