KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan mauled New Zealand by 84 runs to grab the top spot in Group C at the T20 World Cup at the Guyana National Stadium on Saturday.
Asked to bat, Afghanistan set the Kiwis a target of 160 in the stipulated 20 overs, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scoring with 80 for his side in what turned out to be an utterly one-sided affair.
While chasing the target, the Black Caps collapsed like a house of cards, bundled out for 75. Skipper Rashid Khan bagged four wickets while Fazal Haq Farooqi claimed three scalps to help their team romp home.
The result represents the second massive win a row for Afghanistan, which had crushed Uganda by 125 runs in their first outing. It was Afghanistan’s first T20 victory against the Kiwis.
Left-arm seamer Fazal Haq Farooqi then followed his five-wicket opening match demolition of Uganda with the first three wickets of the New Zealand innings before coming back to claim a fourth to end the match and complete figures of four for 17.
Rashid shared the bowling honours with an identical haul of four for 17, including his opposite number Kane Williamson with the first ball of his spell to effectively end the match as a contest.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for about three years,” said a delighted Gurbaz after receiving the “Man of the Match” award.
“We have the trust and belief that we can beat any team in this competition on this type or surface. At the start of the innings our target was around 130-140 and we played our part in getting there, but credit must go to the bowlers as well. To do this against a team like New Zealand…it’s unbelievable.
Williamson, reflecting on a forgettable night for New Zealand cricket, admitted “This just wasn’t good enough in terms of starting a tournament. It’s very frustrating.”.
sa/mud
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