Cricket
Follow highlights of NZ vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 match here.
Updated : Jun 08, 2024, 08:14 AM IST
New Zealand is set to begin their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 journey against a determined Afghanistan team in Guyana. The Black Caps are eager to make a strong start as they aim to secure their first-ever ICC World Cup title.
Led by Kane Williamson, the New Zealand team decided to forgo practice matches due to logistical challenges and last competed in T20Is back in April of this year. Despite key senior players missing the Pakistan tour due to their commitments in the IPL 2024, the team managed to secure a 2-2 draw against a formidable Pakistani squad.
On the other hand, Afghanistan commenced their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with an impressive 125-run victory, successfully defending a total of 183 runs against Uganda. Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi's exceptional performance of taking five wickets for nine runs against Uganda, coupled with brilliant fifties from openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, has set a strong foundation for Afghanistan in the tournament.
Nabi into the attack. Finds the outside edge first ball, but it is past the lone slip fielder, Conway gets a couple. Big appeal for LBW! Umpire says no. Afghanistan opt for the review. Ball tracking shows impact outside off as Conway looked to sweep. Just four runs from the over.
Perfect start for Afghanistan. Farooqi's full, swinging delivery bowls Allen for a duck. Williamson in at 3. Solid front-foot defense on the first ball. Drives for three runs. Conway clips one off his pads for a single. Full and swinging away, beats Conway. Seven runs from the first over.
Boult bowls the final over. He nails a wide yorker, leading to Rashid's run-out. Two in two! Another perfect yorker cleans up Gurbaz. Hat-trick delivery: Gulbadin misses the full toss and is trapped LBW, but the review shows it pitched outside leg. Three wickets in the over! Gulbadin then hits one straight to Phillips. A single finishes the innings with Afghanistan at 159/6.
Change of ends for Henry as he replaces Boult. Back of a length, Ibrahim gives himself room but skies it safely. A huge chance goes! Henry bowls towards middle and leg, Ibrahim lofts it to Finn Allen at deep backward square, but Allen drops the catch.
New Zealand (Playing XI): Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Kane Williamson(c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan(c), Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
New Zealand win toss and elect to bowl first
Rashid Khan: T20 is not much about the toss. We will look to get used to the conditions. We had couple of days of practice. We tried to relax. Have had a good start in the competition. Mujeeb is out. He has had a hand injury. Noor is in. Mujeeb has been struggling with his hand for the last 7-8 months. Hopefully, he will come back soon for us.
Kane Williamson: We will have a bowl. We want to use it first up. Hope the dew stays away. Everybody's preparations have been different. The training has been good. We had day time and night time sessions. Tonight Southee, Sodhi, Rachin and Neesham miss out.
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran,Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Philipps, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi/James Neesham
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Kane Williamson(c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Rachin Ravindra, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan(c), Karim Janat, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Mohammad Ishaq, Noor Ahmad, Nangeyalia Kharote