On Friday, Afghanistan sealed first place in Group C of the World Cup with an unexpected defeat against a weak New Zealand side at Guyana’s National Stadium. This world cup was won after winning 84 matches.
T20 International cricket has experienced its first ever loss by New Zealand to Afghanistan after failing to chase down a target of 160 runs finishing with a score of 75 for them within just 15.2 overs.
Afghanistan’s opening combination of Rahmanullah Gurbaz who scored 80 off 56 balls and Ibrahim Zadran (44) set the tone for Afghanistan. They were batting and were 159 for six after that. By the end of the fifteenth over, their openers had put on a partnership worth one hundred three which established an important foundation for a formidable total.
Coming from his classy display during the initial match against Uganda, Fazal Haq Farooqi went on to destroy New Zealand’s batting line-up claiming four crucial wickets at an expense of seventeen runs only.
Farooqi’s opposite number Rashid Khan took four wickets for seventeen runs as well, including Kane Williamson’s key first ball that settled the game; his match figures mirrored Farooqi’s.
We have been waiting for this moment about three years,” said Gulbaaz happily [He is ‘Man of The Match’]. “We have confidence and belief that we can beat any team in this type of match or venue. We were looking at around 130-140 at some point when we began our innings and thus we played our part to get there but I think it was creditable against a team like New Zealand…I mean it’s fantastic”.
New Zealand’s apparent collapse and apparent lack of form presents a daunting task for the finalists in 2021 as they travel to play West Indies in Trinidad next Wednesday at Brian Lara Stadium.
“It wasn’t good enough starting this game, it was very frustrating”, said Williamson, reflecting on a memorable night for New Zealand cricket.
“We have to move forward quickly because the games are becoming numerous and fast for us now. Yes, we have to learn from a lot of mistakes without over-analyzing, but we have to turn things around as quickly as possible,” he added.
While in contrast with his Afghan counterpart Rashid who gave his view on the result, Williamson looked somber.
“This has been one of our finest performances in T20s against a strong team like New Zealand,” Rashid said. “It was an amazing team effort between Gulbaaz and Ibrahim that really set the tone for us from opening to bowling It is such a great feeling to be leading this side where everyone is contributing on-field.”
Though his bowling performance deserved commendation, the skipper singled out Farooqi’s outstanding influence mentioning that he had taken nine wickets in two world cup matches. Finn Allen was dismissed by Faruqi off the first ball during New Zealand’s innings against Black Caps.
“He is an extremely talented bowler, although there still remains room for improvement within him” warned Rashid. “He will be incredibly dangerous if and when he realizes just how much talent he actually possesses.”
