Sports
Afghanistan Dominates New Zealand with 84-Run Victory in T20 World Cup Clash
Afghanistan secures a dominant 84-run victory over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup match. Rahmanullah Gurbaz's 80 and Fazalhaq Farooqi's 4-17 performance lead Afghanistan to victory. Bangladesh also wins against Sri Lanka.
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Originally published by nationnews.com (opens in new tab)
Afghanistan crushed New Zealand by 84 runs in Guyana to make it two wins from two at the T20 World Cup.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with a blistering 80 from 56 deliveries to help Afghanistan reach 159-6, with fellow opener Ibrahim Zadran adding 44 from 41.
In reply, 2021 runners-up New Zealand were skittled out for just 75 in 15.2 overs to fall to their first defeat to Afghanistan in a T20 international.
“It is one of the greatest performances for us in T20s against a big team like New Zealand,” said Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan. “It’s a great feeling to be leading this side.”
Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who claimed five wickets against Uganda on Monday, took 4-17 from just 3.2 overs, with skipper Rashid also taking 4-17.
Just two New Zealand players reached double figures, with Glenn Phillips top-scoring with 18.
The win moves Afghanistan top of Group C with New Zealand bottom, below Papua New Guinea on net run-rate.
Elsewhere, Bangladesh opened their tournament with a two-wicket win over Sri Lanka, who slip to the bottom of Group D after a second successive defeat.
Pathum Nissanka top-scored with 47 from just 48 balls to help Sri Lanka post 124-9 in their 20 overs in Dallas.
Bangladesh slipped to 28-3 in reply, but Towhid Hridoy hit 40 from just 20 deliveries and Litton Das added 36 from 38 to help the Tigers to victory. (BBC Sports)
