The venue was Chennai which generally suits the slower bowlers. Afghanistan is fresh from a win against defending champions England and was facing runners-up in the 2019 World Cup edition. One expected a close fight between these nations but New Zealand bossed the game right from the start!
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| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to field first hoping to take advantage of the slower conditions that would their bowling attack. However, things did not go as well as planned as the half-centuries each from Glenn Phillips (71), Tom Latham (68), and Will Young (58) guided them to 288/6 in their quota of 50 overs.
The brisk knock from Mark Chapman (25* not out off 12 deliveries) did boost the run rate towards the end. Only two wickets to Afghanistan spin bowlers stresses how well the Kiwis batters have tackled them in these favorable conditions!
Afghanistan was skittled out for just 139 runs during the run chase conceding a massive 149-run victory. Rahmat Shah (36) and Azmatullah Omarzai (27) showed some promise with the bat but those knocks weren't enough! Lockie Ferguson (3/19), Mitchell Santner (3/39), and Trent Boult (2/18) showed promise with the ball.
New Zealand's winning margin was greater than the team score of Afghanistan while defending a total below 300 and that speaks volumes of Kiwis bowling strength in this match. New Zealand out-bowled Afghanistan in this match!
Glenn Phillips bagged the Player of the Match award for his crucial knock with the bat that set up the game during the second half of New Zealand's innings. New Zealand, with this victory, tops the points table with 4 wins from 4 games!
Brief Scores: New Zealand - 288/6 in 50 overs (Glenn Phillips - 71, Tom Latham - 68, Naveen-ul-Haq - 2/48) defeated Afghanistan - 139 all out in 34.4 overs (Rahmat Shah - 36, Lockie Ferguson - 3/19, Mitchell Santner - 3/39) by a margin of 149 runs
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