NZ vs AFG ICC CWC 2003 Match 16 Report

NZ vs AFG ICC CWC 2003 Match 16 Report: Though it smelled like Afghanistan might repeat another upset after beating England in their last match, New Zealand held and snatched the match off them to make their World Cup 2023 record clean. With the win, they climbed to the top of the point table, obtaining the maximum number of points in four matches.

Table of Contents

A Comfortable Start, A Mid-Way Imbalance, And An Excellent Pick-Up

NZ vs AFG ICC CWC 2003 Match 16 Report — That was some catch for sure. Getty Images

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, New Zealand found themselves in a shaky position. From a comfortable 109 for 1 in the 21st over, they suddenly slumped to 110 for 4 within nine balls. It was the duo of Captain Tom Latham and the versatile Glenn Phillips who resuscitated the innings with a remarkable 144-run partnership for the fifth wicket. According to New Zealand vs Afghanistan ICC World Cup 2023 Match 16 Report, Afghanistan’s fielding woes, with six missed opportunities, including five dropped catches and a run-out, played a significant role in New Zealand amassing a total of 288 for 6.

New Zealand’s Bowling Attack

New Zealand’s bowlers, Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson, continued their excellent form with three wickets each. Afghanistan’s chase never truly took off, with Trent Boult finding early swing. He dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. Matt Henry then breached Ibrahim’s defenses. According to the NZ vs AFG ICC CWC 2003 Match 16 Report, the highlight of the match was Santner’s exceptional catch that ended the 16-run partnership between Shahidi and Rahmat Shah. New Zealand managed to keep Afghanistan’s chances at bay as the innings dwindled.

The Decisive Victory Boosts the Net Run Rate

While Afghanistan’s Rahmat and Azmatullah Omarzai formed a 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket, New Zealand’s control over the game never wavered. Scoring boundaries was a challenge for Afghanistan, and even rotating strikes proved difficult. Eventually, Azmatullah was dismissed by Boult, and when Rahmat fell in the 29th over, Afghanistan’s hopes further diminished.

Santner reached a milestone of 100 ODI wickets with a brilliant delivery to dismiss Nabi, and Ferguson removed Rashid and Mujeeb in the 34th over. Santner then sealed the game in the 35th over, guiding New Zealand to a comfortable victory.

The win significantly boosted New Zealand’s net run rate and solidified their position at the top of the World Cup points table, making them a formidable contender in the tournament.