CHENNAI – A stunning bowling performance guided New Zealand to secure a 149-run victory over Afghanistan with ease in a match of the Cricket World Cup 2023 in Chennai, India, on Wednesday.
After opening pair Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahin Zadran failed to take a strong start, Rahmat Shah tried to boost the chase but he was removed for 36.
Later, no other player except Azmat Omarzai, who made 27, could show performance with bat as the team was bowled out for 139 in 34.4 overs.
Earlier, New Zealand set a target of 289 runs for inspired Afghanistan.
Opening batsman Will Young scored 54 in a bid to take a strong start for his side but he could not get support from his partner Devon Conway, who was dismissed for 20.
Rachin Ravindra was sent to pavilion for 32 while Daryl Mitchell was removed for cheap scores. Later, Tom Latham (68) and Glenn Phillips (71) built a much-needed fifth wicket partnership to give a boost to the total.
Mark Champan played a knock of 25 off 12 to raise the total.
Kiwis are touted as strong candidate to advance in the game as they have not yet lost a game so far. Currently ranking at number 2 on the points table under India, the Latham led side carries 3 back-to-back victories with a net run rate (NRR) of +1.604.
Afghanistan on the other hand coming to this match with their stunning triumph against England. With the surprise, the Asian side jumped to the sixth spot on the points table.
So far, the Kiwis played two ODIs against Afghanistan, and both games took place in past World Cups. Four years back, Black Caps defeated Afghans by 7, but they are facing a completely different side this time in a leading cricket event.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman remained the powerhouses for the squad.
Pitch conditions at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium are favorable for spin bowlers. Openers may find the comparatively slow pace of the wicket to be an added challenge.
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Afghanistan vs New Zealand squads
New Zealand (probable): Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham (c, wk), 5 Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Mark Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Afghanistan (probable): Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
