AFG vs NZ 2024 T20 WC Match Report and Highlights: In what was arguably the worst New Zealand performance in a World Cup this millennium, Afghanistan beat the Kiwis by 84 runs to rise to the top of Group C in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
In a World Cup that is full of surprises, Afghanistan defeating New Zealand is a minor upset, but it is the margin of victory that makes it a memorable one, or forgettable if you are a New Zealand fan.
AFG vs NZ 2024 T20 WC Match Report and Highlights
Match 14 of the World Cup was played in Guyana’s Providence Stadium as New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first. And this is where the circus show began.
The scorecard will show that Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran formed a 103-run opening partnership, but that was due to New Zealand dropping multiple catches. A side generally known for their fielding had a poor day on the field—especially wicketkeeper Devon Conway, who recovered from a broken finger less than a month ago.
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Despite a massive partnership, it wasn’t a very quick one, as Zadran was dismissed for 44-off-41 as the team was at 103 runs in 14.3 overs.
Allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai was then sent in to pace up the inning, which he did with a quickfire 22-off-12. Gurbaz was the team’s highest run scorer with 80-off-56 as the Afghans ended their inning at 159/6.
Everything changed from this point – the balance of this game and the mood of the pitch. Fazalhaq Farooqi came in to bowl the first over and bowled an absolute dime, knocking over Finn Allen’s stumps for a golden duck.
Wicketkeeper Conway and captain Kane Williamson then attempted to come on the offensive, but Farroqi dismissed Conway in the third over, and this was the beginning of the end.
The dependable Daryl Mitchell was Farroqi’s third scalp in the powerplay, while Williamson lost his wicket immediately after the powerplay ended at the hands of Rashid Khan.
At 33/4 in the seventh over, New Zealand needed a solid ower-middle-order partnership to steady the ship, but that never came as wickets kept falling, 43/6 became 69/9, and 75/10 in the 16th over. Only Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry crossed the 10-run mark with 18 and 12 respectively.
New Zealand kicked off their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign in the worst way possible, with an 84-run loss. Not only was it their largest defeat in T20I, but it was also the third-largest defeat in T20 World Cup history.
As for Afghanistan, they demolished Uganda by 125 runs in their first game, and are now on top of Group C with four points in two matches and a net run rate of +5.225.
For his solid inning of 80-off-56, wicketkeeper-opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was named the Player of the Match.
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