Afghanistan beat New Zealand by 84 runs on Saturday in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 in Guyana.
New Zealand set a target of 160 runs but were ultimately defeated by 75 runs in 15.2 overs.
After claiming four wickets, captain Rashid Khan and pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi were the chief destroyers with the ball for Afghanistan.
Only two New Zealand batters, Glenn Phillips (18 off 18) and Matt Henry (12 off 17), could get into double figures. Only two New Zealand batters, Glenn Phillips (18 off 18) and Matt Henry (12 off 17), could reach double figures.
“One of the greatest performances from us in T20I cricket against a big team. It is a great team effort. The way Ibrahim and Gurbaz started again… the wicket was not easy. They did not throw away their wickets in overs 7-10. Great win for Afghanistan, and it is a privilege to be leading this side and winning against NZ,” Rashid said after the match.
“Anything around 160-170, with the bowling unit we have, we will give tough competition to the opposition, as long as we hit the right areas consistently. The spinners and especially the seamers, the way Nabi bowled the second over - that gave us a sign the ball was turning. The skill we have as a bowling unit, if we use that, it will be hard for the opposition to score 160,” he added.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bowl first against Afghanistan.
Initially batting first, Afghanistan achieved a score of 159-6 in their allotted 20 overs, with opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoring 80 runs in 56 balls. He produced five fours and as many sixes.
Ibrahim Zadran also contributed with a score of 44 runs in 41 balls.
Trent Boult emerged as the standout bowler for New Zealand, posting figures of 2-22 in four overs.
Kane Williamson's New Zealand were playing their first match in the tournament, while Afghanistan beat Uganda in the tournament opener.
In Group C, Afghanistan now has two wins in as many matches during the tournament and has one foot in the Super 8 stage of the tournament.
Teams
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (w), Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson.
