Afghanistan Thrash New Zealand by 84 Runs in a T20 World Cup Upset
The 14th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 witnessed a stunning upset as Afghanistan thumped New Zealand by a massive margin of 84 runs at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. This emphatic victory not only propels Afghanistan into strong contention for the Super Eight stage but also throws the group wide open, leaving cricket fans and pundits alike in awe of Afghanistan’s prowess.
Gurbaz Blazes the Trail for Afghanistan
Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan won the toss and opted to bat first. The decision was vindicated early on as the explosive Rahmanullah Gurbaz tore into the New Zealand bowling attack. Gurbaz, fresh off a fifty against Uganda, picked up where he left off, launching into some breathtaking strokeplay.
He reached his half-century off just 28 balls, peppering the boundary with five sixes and five fours, showcasing his ability to dominate from the outset. His opening partner, Ibrahim Zadran, provided valuable support with a patient 44, ensuring Afghanistan built a solid foundation and setting the stage for a formidable total.
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan Spins a Web Around New Zealand
Chasing a stiff target of 160, New Zealand’s hopes were pinned on their experienced batting line-up. However, the Afghan spinners had other plans.
The ever-reliable Rashid Khan was at his unplayable best, bamboozling the Kiwi batsmen with his guile and variations. He picked up four wickets for just 17 runs in his spell, completely dismantling the New Zealand middle order and leaving them in tatters.
New Zealand Crumble Under Pressure
Apart from Rashid Khan, the other Afghan spinner, Mohammad Nabi, also played their part. Nabi chipped in with 2 crucial wickets, stifling any hopes of a New Zealand comeback.
The Kiwi batsmen, known for their calmness under pressure, succumbed to the relentless pressure created by the excellent Afghan bowling attack, failing to mount any substantial resistance.
Fazalhaq Farooqi Provides Early Breakthroughs
The New Zealand chase never really got going. Openers Devon Conway and Finn Allen fell cheaply to Fazalhaq Farooqi, who swung the new ball beautifully. The early dismissals put New Zealand on the back foot, and they never recovered. Only Glenn Phillips, with a valiant 18, showed some resistance but lacked support from the other end, highlighting the comprehensive nature of Afghanistan’s dominance.
Afghanistan’s emphatic victory has sent shockwaves through the T20 World Cup. With their spinners in top form and their batting line-up clicking, Afghanistan will be a force to be reckoned with in the remaining matches. New Zealand, on the other hand, will have to regroup and bounce back quickly to keep their qualification hopes alive.
This match serves as a reminder that the beauty of T20 cricket lies in its unpredictability. Any team can pull off an upset on their day, as Afghanistan has so convincingly demonstrated. The T20 World Cup promises to be an exciting affair with more such thrilling encounters on the horizon, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as they await the next dramatic twist in this cricketing saga.
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The 14th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 witnessed a stunning upset as Afghanistan thumped New Zealand by a massive margin of 84 runs at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. This emphatic victory not only propels Afghanistan into strong contention for the Super Eight stage but also throws the group wide open, leaving…
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