T20 World Cup: Afghanistan stun 2021 runners-up New Zealand by 84 runs

Afghanistan stunned the 2021 runners-up New Zealand by 84 runs in a Group C clash of the T20 World Cup in Guyana on Saturday.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and asked Afghanistan to bat.

Wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, fresh from winning the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders, gave Afghanistan a splendid star in a 56-ball 80. However, the Afghans were very cautious. At the halfway mark they had only managed 55 runs. In the next three overs Gurbaz and Zadran smashed five sixes to get going.

Gurbaz himself smashed five sixes and as many fours as he along with Ibrahim Zadran (41-ball 44; 2×6, 3×4) put on 103 for the first wicket in 14.3 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai played a scintillating cameo of 22 runs off 13 balls. For New Zealand, Trent Boult (2/22), Matt Henry (2/37) and Lockie Ferguson (1/28) shared the spoils. However, they could not finish well as Trent Boult (2/22) and Matt Henry (2/37) restricted them to 159 for six.

Chasing a tricky total, it was Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/17), fresh from his five-wicket haul against Uganda created mayhem with the new ball. Skipper Rashid Khan also picked four wickets and he was ably supported by Mohammad Nabi, who returned with the figure of 2 for 22 in his four overs quota.

New Zealand were bowled out for 75 with just two batters — Glen Phillips (18) and Matt Henry (12) managing double digits as they lasted just 15.2 overs.

“One of our best T20 performances from us, especially against a big team like New Zealand. The wicket wasn’t easy to score, Gurbaz and Ibrahim batted really well, it was a superb performance with the bat, ball and the field,” said Rashid Khan at the post-match presentation.

New Zealand, who looked rusty throughout the match have lot to ponder about.

“Congrats to Afghanistan, they simply outplayed us in all facets. To get to that total on that surface, they kept their wickets and made a good score. We’ll have to put this behind quickly and get back to our next challenge,” said Kane Williamson.

Brief 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).

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