In a thrilling encounter at the Cricket World Cup, New Zealand showcased their prowess by securing an emphatic 149-run victory over Afghanistan, delivering a harsh reality check to the resilient underdogs.
The match was marked by a dramatic contrast in fielding performances, with New Zealand capitalizing on Afghanistan's costly dropped catches.
New Zealand's batting stars Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham, and Will Young were the heroes of the day, all notching up impressive half-centuries.
However, their success was significantly aided by Afghanistan's fielding mishaps, which allowed them to reach a competitive total of 288-6 after a shaky start at 110-4.
Kiwi bowlers Run Riot
New Zealand's bowlers showed no mercy as they skittled Afghanistan's batting lineup for a meager 139 in just 34.4 overs.
Lockie Ferguson was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers, claiming three wickets for just 19 runs. Mitchell Santner also made a significant impact, grabbing three wickets for 39 runs. Meanwhile, Trent Boult, the veteran seamer, chipped in with two crucial wickets for just 18 runs.
Glenn Phillips, who was awarded the Man of the Match, delivered a crucial performance with his bat, amassing 71 runs off 80 balls. His exceptional contribution, which included four sixes and as many boundaries, was pivotal in New Zealand's triumph.
Afghanistan left in disarray
Afghanistan, who had stunned defending champions England in their previous outing, faced a crushing defeat.
Their captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, expressed disappointment in the team's fielding performance, acknowledging that the dropped catches proved to be costly.
With this resounding victory, New Zealand continued their unbeaten run in the tournament, securing their fourth win in as many games.
The team, who were runners-up in the last two World Cups, now finds themselves firmly on track for the semi-finals.
Afghanistan has now won one match and suffered three defeats in their four World Cup fixtures. Their unpredictable journey in the tournament continues to captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Dropped catches haunt Afg
Afghanistan's fielding woes were evident as they put down as many as five catches during the match, proving to be a crucial factor in their defeat. Among these missed opportunities, the drop of opener Will Young by Rahmat Shah in the very first over proved to be particularly costly.
After a slow start, New Zealand was revived by an excellent 79-run partnership for the second wicket between Young and Rachin Ravindra, who contributed a brisk 32 runs from 41 balls.
Despite a brief collapse, Glenn Phillips and stand-in captain Tom Latham steadied the ship with a solid fifth-wicket partnership of 144 runs, ultimately providing the late impetus.
New Zealand played the match without regular captain Kane Williamson, who had suffered a thumb injury in the previous game. His absence did not deter the team from delivering a stellar performance.
In a match filled with twists and turns, New Zealand's resilience and adaptability proved to be the key to their comprehensive victory, positioning them as strong contenders in this Cricket World Cup edition.
