Afghanistan, with a seven-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea on Thursday, showcased their growing reputation as the 2024 T20 World Cup’s dark horses, progressing to the Super Eight stage of the tournament by way of eliminating New Zealand.
Playing first in their Group C game at Trinidad’s Brian Lara Stadium, PNG was dismissed for 95 in 19.5 overs as Fazalhaq Farooqi took a further three wickets towards his leading wicket tally for the competition.
In contrast, Afghanistan struggled terribly in their first over of reply and lost both openers for the first time in this contest but ultimately achieved it with three wickets down during the 16th over securing them a third straight win.
Batting at nine, Afghani skipper Gulbadin Naib was caught behind by Kiplin Doriga off medium-pacer Alei Nao without much damage making an unbeaten 49 from an unbroken fourth-wicket alliance worth 46 runs with Mohammad Nabi (16 not out). Afghanistan were left needing only 15.1 overs after reaching 101-3.
New Zealand has been eliminated from this group despite two games remaining while also ensuring that Afghanistan will play the next phase along with hosts West Indies.
Once again Farooqi returned as he finished two for two while leading another brilliant Afghan bowling attack. Inadvertently Vala run out during second over gave his opponents an edge among others for PNG captain Assad Vala.
Farooqi came back into attack in the last few balls of PNG innings taking a wicket in his final five balls to finish with figures of three for sixteen before another run out ended this match as well.
He has four more than Adam Zampa (Australia), Alzarri Joseph (West Indies) and Anrich Nortje (South Africa) who are tied with 12 scalps each.
Inevitably, Farooqi parted Doriga and Nao at 38 for the eighth wicket, having scored 27 himself. Certainly Papuans had a gallant attempt to rally from 50 for seven in the thirteenth over.
