Afghanistan pulled off a stunning upset against New Zealand in their T20 World Cup 2024 Group C Match, winning by a massive 84 runs at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 159/6 in their 20 overs, thanks to a brilliant opening stand of 103 between Rahmanullah Gurbaz (80 off 56 balls) and Ibrahim Zadran (44 off 41 balls). Gurbaz was the aggressor, smashing 6 fours and 5 sixes in his entertaining knock, while Zadran played the anchor role.
The Afghan innings was boosted by a late cameo from Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored 22 off just 12 balls with the help of 2 sixes. For New Zealand, Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/22, while Matt Henry and Michael Bracewell chipped in with 2 wickets each.
In response, New Zealand never got going in their chase and were bundled out for just 75 in 15.2 overs. Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi and leg-spinner Rashid Khan were the chief architects of New Zealand’s downfall, both picking up 4 wickets each.
Farooqi dismissed the dangerous opening pair of Finn Allen (0) and Devon Conway (7) early on to dent New Zealand’s chase. Skipper Kene Williamson (10) and Glenn Phillips (13) tried to resurrect the innings but both fell to Rashid Khan’s guile.
The rest of the New Zealand batting lineup crumbled under the pressure, with only Michael Bracewell (15) and Mitchell Santner (10) managing to reach double figures. Farooqi and Rashid were ably supported by Naveen-ul-Haq and Gulbadin Naib, who picked up a wicket each.
Afghanistan’s clinical performance with both bat and ball was a testament to their growing stature in world cricket. The win also boosted their net run rate significantly, which could prove crucial in the tight Group C race.
Speaking after the match, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan praised his team’s effort and said, “We knew New Zealand are a strong team, but we were confident in our abilities. The bowlers executed our plans perfectly, and the batters set the tone with a solid opening partnership.”
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson acknowledged Afghanistan’s superiority on the day and said, “Afghanistan played some really good cricket today. They put us under pressure from the start, and we couldn’t recover. We need to regroup and come back stronger in our next match.
The result has thrown Group C wide open, with Afghanistan now firmly in contention for a semi-final spot. New Zealand, on the other hand, will need to bounce back quickly if they want to avoid an early exit from the tournament.
The match also highlighted the growing depth in Afghanistan’s squad, with players like Gurbaz, Farroqi, and Omarzi stepping up when it mattered most. The team’s ability to perform under pressure and against a strong opponent like New Zealand will only boost their confidence going forward.
For New Zealand, the loss exposed some chinks in their armor, particularly in the batting department. The team will need to find a way to tackle the spin threat posed by the likes of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who are expected to play a key role in the tournament.
Overall, Afghanistan’s stunning victory over New Zealand is a testament to the team’s progress in recent years and a reminder that no team can be taken lightly in the T20 format. The match also showcased the exciting talent and potential of the Afghan team, which is sure to make waves in the cricketing world in the years to come.
