In a thrilling encounter at the ICC World Cup 2023, New Zealand clinched their fourth consecutive victory by defeating Afghanistan by 149 runs in the 16th match of the tournament. New Zealand’s brilliant batting performance, particularly by Glenn Phillips, earned him the Player of the Match award.
Afghanistan, chasing a target of 289 runs, struggled to keep up with the required run rate, managing only 139 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 34.4 overs. Rahmat Shah contributed 36 runs, and Hashmatullah Shahidi added 27 runs, but no other player could deliver a notable performance.
On the bowling front, Lockie Ferguson and Mitchell Santner from New Zealand took 3 wickets each, while Trent Boult claimed 2 wickets, restricting Afghanistan’s innings.
New Zealand’s innings showcased notable performances by Devon Conway (20), Rachin Ravindra (32), Will Young (54), captain Tom Latham (68), and Glenn Phillips (71). The Kiwi team set a target of 289 runs for Afghanistan.
In the post-match discussions, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed their excitement after defeating England but acknowledged the challenge posed by New Zealand. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s captain Tom Latham revealed that Kyle Jamieson replaced the injured Kane Williamson in the team lineup.
Both teams have played three matches in the ongoing World Cup. New Zealand remains undefeated, while Afghanistan has secured one victory. The tournament continues to witness intense battles, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters in the days ahead.
