Afghanistan Stuns New Zealand by 84-Run 

News Desk 

Islamabad: In a surprising turn of events at the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan bowled out the experienced New Zealand team for just 75 runs, securing an 84-run victory while defending a target of 160.

The Afghan bowlers dominated from the start, keeping the Kiwi batsmen trapped with their nippy and spinning deliveries. Apart from Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry, no other New Zealand batsman managed to reach double figures.

Earlier, Afghanistan set a target of 160 runs, thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s aggressive innings of 80 runs. In the fourteenth match of the T20 World Cup, the Afghan openers provided a brilliant start, putting together a partnership of 103 runs.

Ibrahim Zadran contributed 44 runs off 41 balls, while Gurbaz scored 80 runs off 56 balls, getting out in the last over of the innings. Afghanistan’s first wicket fell at 103 runs in the 14th over when Zadran was bowled by Henry.

Azmatullah Omarzai was the second wicket to fall, scoring 22 runs off 13 balls. Following him, Mohammad Nabi was dismissed without scoring, and captain Rashid Khan was run out for 6.

Gulbadin Naib, batting at number seven, failed to score, while Karim Janat and Najibullah Zadran remained not out with 1 run each. Afghanistan ended their innings at 159 for the loss of 6 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

For New Zealand, Trent Boult and Matt Henry took 2 wickets each, while Lockie Ferguson claimed 1 wicket.

In the Group C match played in Providence, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first. Afghanistan had previously won their first match by a massive margin of 125 runs against Uganda.

This match marked New Zealand’s first appearance in the event.