NZ 288/6 (50)
AFG 139 (34.4)
New Zealand won by 149 runs
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Glenn Phillips
AS oer cricbuzz report, In a remarkable display of dominance, New Zealand has emerged victorious in all four of their recent matches, propelling them to the top of the Points table. The Kiwis continue to soar, and their success can be attributed to the collective efforts of the entire team.
Cricbuzz, Kane Williamson, their skipper, was absent in the game, but this absence provided an opportunity for the young talents to shine. Will Young seized his chance, and despite initial struggles, Rachin Ravindra played a pivotal role in steadying the ship. However, it was Glenn Phillips who displayed his unique style of play, and Tom Latham’s efforts were aimed at holding the team together. Mark Chapman then provided the finishing touches, delivering the final flourish.
The bowlers, acting as a cohesive unit, also played a crucial role in New Zealand’s recent success. Their well-oiled machinery has been running smoothly, and they have consistently outclassed their opponents. The recent victims of New Zealand’s cricketing prowess include England, Netherlands, Bangladesh, and now Afghanistan.
The question that lingers is, who will be the next team to face New Zealand’s onslaught? Their winning streak has ignited curiosity across the cricketing world. On the other hand, Afghanistan faces a daunting challenge in regaining their footing after this disappointing performance. Despite favorable conditions, they were plagued by dropped catches, inconsistent bowling, and a batting lineup that seemed out of sync.
It’s worth noting that a single victory does not define a team’s season. While New Zealand celebrates their recent victories, they know that more significant challenges lie ahead. Their next test awaits them as they prepare to face India in Dharamsala in the coming days. Meanwhile, Afghanistan will look to redeem themselves when they take on their neighbors, Pakistan, on the 23rd. The cricketing world eagerly awaits these upcoming clashes, which promise to be battles of skill, strategy, and determination.
Tom Latham expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, highlighting their ability to handle pressure effectively. He acknowledged that there were moments when they faced challenging situations, particularly when they lost three wickets in quick succession. However, the bowlers stepped up when needed and took crucial wickets. Latham was particularly impressed with Glenn Phillips, who played an outstanding innings. He also praised the team’s performance in the first ten overs and commended Mitch Santner for his contribution. Latham emphasized that their all-around performance was pleasing and hoped that they could carry the momentum into their upcoming matches against India and Australia.
On the other hand, Hashmatullah Shahidi from Afghanistan expressed disappointment in his team’s fielding performance. He stressed the importance of taking catches at this level of cricket and admitted that their fielding was subpar, which affected their morale. Shahidi noted that the last six overs of New Zealand’s innings saw a significant number of runs scored.
He mentioned that they dropped catches before the 40th over, which allowed New Zealand’s batsmen to settle in. Despite their efforts to stop the set batters, they couldn’t succeed. Shahidi also pointed out that while the toss might have played a role, it’s difficult to predict the pitch’s behavior entirely. He acknowledged that the pitch was slow, and while their bowling was decent, their fielding was a cause for concern. Shahidi emphasized that this loss would motivate them to identify areas for improvement and return stronger in their next game.
Biggest wins for New Zealand in World Cups (by runs)
181 vs East Africa, Birmingham 1975
149 vs AFG, Chennai 2023*
148 vs KEN, Gros Islet 2007
143 vs WI, Wellington 2015
Lowest totals for Afghanistan in World Cups
125 vs SA, Cardiff, 2019
139 vs NZ, Chennai, 2023*
142 vs AUS, Perth, 2015
152 vs SL, Cardiff, 2019