Photo : Collected
Afghanistan made history with their first-ever win over New Zealand in a T20 World Cup. Skipper Rashid Khan and in-form left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi each took four wickets as Afghanistan stunned New Zealand by 84 runs in a Group C clash of the T20 World Cup in Guyana.
Chasing a target of 160 at the Providence Stadium, the 2021 runners-up were bowled out for 75 in just 15.2 overs. Only two batters, Glen Phillips (18) and Matt Henry (12), managed to reach double digits.Farooqi and Khan both finished with identical figures of 4/17.Wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, fresh from winning the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders, gave Afghanistan a fantastic start with a 56-ball 80 after New Zealand chose to bowl.
Gurbaz hit five sixes and as many fours, sharing a 103-run partnership for the first wicket with Ibrahim Zadran (44 off 41 balls; 2x6, 3x4) in 14.3 overs.However, Afghanistan couldn't finish strongly as Trent Boult (2/22) and Matt Henry (2/37) restricted them to 159 for 6.
With the win over New Zealand, Afghanistan now are top placed team of the two to make the Super Eight.
Messenger/Hasan
