Afghanistan beat PNG to book Super 8 berth as New Zealand crash out of T20 World Cup

Afghanistan has booked their berth in the next round of the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup in the Americas with a stunning seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea in Trinidad on June 14, becoming the second team after West Indies to qualify for Super 8s from Group C. Their third win in as many matches mean New Zealand are crashed out of the tournament, having lost both of their matches.

New Zealand now becomes the second high-profile team after Sri Lanka to get knocked out of the showpiece event, as this 20-team tournament gets exciting with the Super 8s approaching.

After winning the toss, Afghanistan elected to bowl first and sent three out of the top four PNG batters back to the hut inside three overs. Their architect with the new ball, Fazalhaq Farooqi, began from where he had left, picking two wickets in two balls early on. By the time the Powerplay ended, Afghanistan had removed their five batters. 

Although Captain Rashid Khan and seasoned campaigner Mohammad Nabi went wicketless, Naveen-ul-Haq returned with two wickets; the left-arm unorthodox Noor Ahmed was economical in his four-over spell, picking one for 14. 

Farooqi picked three wickets, finishing with nine in total in three games, as Afghanistan wrapped up PNG’s innings on a mere 95.

Unlike in the previous two matches, the opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran couldn’t get the big partnership going, as both departed inside the first three overs. 

All-rounders Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai added 33 for the next wicket before Omarzai got out on 13.

Alongside Nabi, Naib held one end and slammed an unbeaten 49 off 36 balls, including hitting two sixes and four fours, to see his team home with seven wickets remaining.

With three statement wins in the Group stage, Afghanistan sits on the top of the points table, even ahead of co-hosts West Indies, with a daunting NRR of +4.230. Meanwhile, West Indies and Afghanistan will face off in their Group C game on June 17. 

In the Super 8s, Afghanistan will face India on June 20.