Afghanistan pulled one of the biggest upsets in the T20 World Cup history as they defeated Kane Williamson-led New Zealand in a Group C clash at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Saturday, June 8.
Rashid Khan's Afghanistan registered an 84-run win over New Zealand, creating one of the biggest upsets in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. This came just a day after co-hosts USA stunned Pakistan with a win in the Super Over.
After posting a total of 159/6, thanks to brilliant innings of 80 off 56 balls by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan bundled out New Zealand for 75 runs in 15.2 overs overs. Skipper Rashid Khan (4/17) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/17) dismantled the Kiwis' batting line-up as they combined picked eight wickets to seal the victory for Afghanistan.
Apart from Rashid and Farooqi, Mohammad Nabi too chipped by picking two wickets and registered the figures of 2/16 with an economy rate of 4.00 in four overs.
Chasing a 160-run target set by Afghanistan, New Zealand batters were struggling to get going from the start of their innings as they lost three wickets in Finn Allen (0), Devon Conway (8) and Daryll Mitchell (9) for 28 runs in 4.2 overs. All three were the victims of Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Skipper Rashid Khan began his spell by dismissing NZ skipper Kane Williams (9) and then picked the wickets Michael Bracewell (0) and Mark Chapman (4) to reduce Kiwis to 43/6. New Zealand's batting further collapsed after Glenn Phillips (18) and Mitchell Santner (4) were dismissed by Mohammad Nabi and they were at 59/8.
In the 13th over, Rashid Khan picked his fourth wicket by dismissing Lockie Ferguson (2) at 63/9. Farooqi also took his fourth scalp by dismissing Matt Henry (12) and eventually bowled out New Zealand for 75.
Afghanistan make it 2 on 2 after win vs New Zealand
Afghanistan won two consecutive matches in the Group Stage of the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup. In the opening match, Rashid Khan-led side defeated Uganda by 125 runs in Guyana.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (76), Ibrahim Zadran (70) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (5/9) were the star performers in Afghanistan's opening match of the campaign.
After the win over New Zealand, Afghanistan have retained the top spot with two and have an NRR +5.225. Rashid Khan-led side will play their next match against Papua New Guinea on June 14 in Guyana.
A win against PNG will help Afghanistan almost book their berth for the Super 8.
In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan failed to qualify for the knockout stage as they finished at the bottom of the Super 12's Group A table.
