ICC World T20 2024: Afghanistan defeat New Zealand by 84 runs
The 14th match of T20 World Cup 2024 was played between New Zealand and Afghanistan today. The black caps, chasing a target of 160 runs, was all out for 75 runs. With this, Afghanistan made a big upset in the World Cup. Fazalhaq Farooqui gave the first breakthrough for the team. He bowled Finn Allen on the first ball of the first over. Allen returned to the pavilion without opening the account. In this match, the batsmen of the Kiwi team were seen struggling. Devon Conway 8, Daryl Mitchell 5, Kane Williamson nine, Mark Chapman 4, Michael Bracewell 0, Glenn Phillips 18, Mitchell Santner 4, Matt Henry 12, Lockie Ferguson were out after scoring 2 runs. At the same time, Trent Boult remained unbeaten after scoring three runs. In this match, Afghanistan bowlers wreaked havoc. Fazalhaq Farooqui and Rashid Khan took four wickets each while Mohammad Nabi got two successes.
After losing the toss and batting first, Afghanistan scored 159 runs for six wickets in 20 overs. In this match, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave the team a good start. There was a blistering partnership of 102 runs for the first wicket between the two. The first wicket for the kiwis was taken by Matt Henry. He bowled Zadran. He managed to score 44 runs with the help of three fours and two sixes. After this, Henry made Azmatullah Umarzai, who came to bat at number three, his scalp. He returned to the pavilion after scoring 22 runs. In this match, opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz continued his IPL form. He scored 80 runs in 56 balls. During this, he hit five fours and as many sixes at a strike rate of 142.85.For the Kiwi team, Bolt and Henry took two wickets each while Lockie Ferguson got one wicket.
New Zealand’s preparations hampered by rain
New Zealand’s preparations have been affected due to the cancellation of practice sessions due to rain. It has to play against Afghanistan and West Indies in the first two matches.
