Afghanistan faced New Zealand today at the M.A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. Afghanistan won the toss and opted to field first on a tricky Chepauk wicket. Their bowling unit performed admirably, led by Mujeeb-ur-Rahman who removed ‘home boy’ Devon Conway from the crease very early.
While Rachin Ravindra appeared a little shady throughout his innings, Will Young handled one end for some time to reach fifty as New Zealand struggled to score runs. After Rashid Khan sent home Daryl Mitchell early, Azmatullah Omarzai produced a brilliant spell that saw him send back both Young and Rachin.
The Afghan spinners demonstrated discipline in their bowling during their overs. However, as Glenn Phillips as well as Tom Latham solidified their side, the Afghanistan fielders let their bowlers and team down. Even though Rashid Khan only finished with one wicket, he had the opportunity to take four, and New Zealand had the perfect platform from which to attack right at the end. They finished with a respectable total of 288 after their quota of 50 overs was completed.
The important early breakthroughs were supplied by Trent Boult, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson. Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner combined for four wickets while bowling tightly. After their impressive performance against England, Afghanistan’s confidence was severely damaged by their thrashing today.
As it transpired that Afghanistan didn’t present their finest face today. Against New Zealand today, just two Afghanistan batsmen were able to score more than twenty runs. This indicates that there was still room for improvement for the Afghanistan team. In the end, New Zealand managed to win the game by a convincing margin of 139 runs. Both Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson finished with a 3-fer against Afghanistan.
“The bowlers managed to take wickets when it was needed” : Tom Latham
The stand-in skipper Tom Latham spoke to the media after his side’s amazing victory over Afghanistan. He spoke about the team’s all-round performance and singled out some great showings by some of his players.
Tom Latham said, “A pleasing start. Another great performance. We were put under pressure some times. The bowlers managed to take wickets when it was needed. We had lost three wickets in a short span of time. We thought of regrouping. They bowled fantastically well. We managed to capitalize. Glenn played a fantastic knock.”
Fans react as New Zealand demolish Afghanistan by 139 runs in ODI World Cup 2023: –
NEW ZEALAND – TABLE TOPPERS IN WORLD CUP 2023…!!!!
– Their next match on Sunday against India. pic.twitter.com/ePcRQnePDL
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 18, 2023
That's great news for New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup! A match against India should be an exciting and competitive event. Cricket fans will be eagerly looking forward to it.
— Renu K ? (@Talk2Rinki) October 18, 2023
— Baila Nisar (@BailaNisar) October 18, 2023
Santner is a very high quality player. It's just that he was so underrated till date. Now he is getting his due attention.
— Baatein (@TeriMeriBaatein) October 18, 2023
Miracles don't happen every day. Congratulations, New Zealand, for the wonderful victory! ?? ?
— Hamza Tariq (@_HamzaPro) October 18, 2023
Next Sunday will be power packed ???
— King Kohli's Fan (@ViratFan100) October 18, 2023
INDIA VS New Zealand will be the clash of the Titans.
— Cricket Polls (@CricPollsdaily) October 18, 2023
Santner is a very high quality player. It's just that he was so underrated till date. Now he is getting his due attention.
— Baatein (@TeriMeriBaatein) October 18, 2023
India will be on top tomorrow
— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) October 18, 2023
Waiting for sunday india vs Nz
— §??€ (@berlin2okyo) October 18, 2023
