Afghanistan shocked the 2021 runners-up New Zealand by 84 runs in a Group C conflict of the T20 World Cup in Guyana on Saturday.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson received the toss and requested Afghanistan to bat.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, recent from profitable the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders, gave Afghanistan a splendid star in a 56-ball 80. Nevertheless, the Afghans had been very cautious. On the midway mark that they had solely managed 55 runs. Within the subsequent three overs Gurbaz and Zadran smashed 5 sixes to get going.
Gurbaz himself smashed 5 sixes and as many fours as he together with Ibrahim Zadran (41-ball 44; 2×6, 3×4) placed on 103 for the primary wicket in 14.3 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai performed a scintillating cameo of twenty-two runs off 13 balls. For New Zealand, Trent Boult (2/22), Matt Henry (2/37) and Lockie Ferguson (1/28) shared the spoils. Nevertheless, they might not end nicely as Trent Boult (2/22) and Matt Henry (2/37) restricted them to 159 for six.
Chasing a tough whole, it was Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/17), recent from his five-wicket haul towards Uganda created mayhem with the brand new ball. Skipper Rashid Khan additionally picked 4 wickets and he was ably supported by Mohammad Nabi, who returned with the determine of two for 22 in his 4 overs quota.
New Zealand had been bowled out for 75 with simply two batters — Glen Phillips (18) and Matt Henry (12) managing double digits as they lasted simply 15.2 overs.
“Certainly one of our greatest T20 performances from us, particularly towards an enormous crew like New Zealand. The wicket wasn’t straightforward to attain, Gurbaz and Ibrahim batted rather well, it was an outstanding efficiency with the bat, ball and the sector,” mentioned Rashid Khan on the post-match presentation.
New Zealand, who seemed rusty all through the match have lot to ponder about.
“Congrats to Afghanistan, they merely outplayed us in all aspects. To get to that whole on that floor, they stored their wickets and made a superb rating. We’ll should put this behind rapidly and get again to our subsequent problem,” mentioned Kane Williamson.
Transient Scores
Afghanistan 159/6 in 20 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 80, Ibrahim Zadran 44; Trent Boult 2/22, Matt Henry 2/37)
New Zealand 75 in 15.2 overs (Rashid Khan 4/17, Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/17).
Get newest updates on T20 World Cup together with reside rating updates for all matches.