Afghanistan defeated New Zealand for the first time: Chasing 160 runs, Kiwi team all out for 75 runs, Rashid-Farooqi took 4-4 wickets

Match Summary: Afghanistan vs New Zealand

Afghanistan batted first and scored 159 runs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 80 runs for the team. 3 wickets fell in the last over. First Rashid Khan was run out. Then Gurbaz’s wicket fell and finally, Gulbadin Naib was out without opening the account. Matt Henry and Trent Boult took 2-2 wickets for New Zealand. Lockie Ferguson got a wicket.

Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz got a life in the fourth over. Gurbaz swung his bat towards Mitchell Santner but missed the shot. The ball hit the stumps, but the bails did not fall. The only match between Afghanistan and New Zealand in the T20 format was in the 2021 World Cup. Afghanistan also suffered a crushing defeat in this match. However, New Zealand won the match.

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In this match, Afghanistan batted first. New Zealand took 4 wickets for just 56 runs. The situation was serious in Afghanistan. Here Najibullah Zadran defended the team. Coming at number five, he scored 73 runs in 48 balls and took Afghanistan to 128 runs. However, New Zealand completed this easy challenge in 18.1 overs by retaining 8 wickets. Lockie Ferguson has also returned to the pavilion after getting out. New Zealand’s ninth wicket fell at 63 runs. Rashid Khan caught him on his ball. Ferguson could score only 2 runs in 5 balls. This is Rashid’s fourth wicket in this match.

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan took 2 consecutive wickets in the 9th over. He dropped Mark Chapman on the middle stump on the first ball. Meanwhile, Michael Bracewell was bowled LBW on his next ball. The powerplay of New Zealand’s innings was completely in the name of Afghanistan’s fast bowler Fazal Haq Farooqi. In the 5th over, Farooqi bowled a good length ball. Mitchell was caught behind the wicket while trying to play it.

Key Moments and Player Performances

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s innings were pivotal, especially after receiving a fortunate reprieve in the fourth over when the ball hit the stumps but failed to dislodge the bails. His knock included his ninth half-century in T20 internationals.

In the bowling department, captain Rashid Khan‘s double strike in the 9th over and Farooqi’s early breakthroughs during the powerplay were instrumental in dismantling New Zealand’s batting order. Rashid’s figures were particularly impressive, as he took two consecutive wickets in one over, dismissing Mark Chapman and Michael Bracewell.

Implications and Future Matches

This victory marks Afghanistan’s second consecutive win in the tournament, having previously defeated Uganda by 125 runs. Currently, Afghanistan leads Group C and is in a strong position to advance further in the competition. The win against New Zealand not only boosts their confidence but also highlights their growing prowess in international cricket.

Playing XI of both teams

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Kane Williamson (captain), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson.

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Umarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi.