The 14th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 between Afghanistan vs New Zealand was a night to remember for Afghan cricket fans. In a dramatic turn of events, Afghanistan pulled off a remarkable 84-run victory against a heavily favored New Zealand side at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

New Zealand’s Bowling Flops

Having won the toss, New Zealand opted to bowl first. Their decision seemed to be a mistake as the experienced Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran displayed remarkable resilience, staging a Gud partnership led by a crucial fifty from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (80 off 56 balls) and a brisk cameo from Ibrahim Zadran (44 off 41 balls).

The lack of Disciplined in the middle overs proved costly for New Zealand’s bowling attack. The only bowler to make a consistent impact was Trent Boult, who bagged two wickets for 22 runs. Afghanistan capitalized on this, putting up a competitive total of 159/6 on the board.

Afghan Spinners Weave a Web of Woe for New Zealand

Chasing a seemingly manageable target, New Zealand’s batting woes continued. Their vulnerability against spin bowling was ruthlessly exposed by the Afghan spin trio of Rashid Khan (4/17), Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/17), and Mohammad Nabi (2/16). Openers Finn Allen and Devon Conway fell cheaply, leaving the middle order with a daunting task.

Glen Phillips attempted to hold the innings together, but wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. By the 12th over, New Zealand were reeling at a precarious 63/9, their chase effectively in tatters. The chase eventually fizzled out as New Zealand were bundled out for a mere 75 runs in 15.2 overs, handing Afghanistan a comprehensive and historic victory.

Turning Point

While the brilliance of the Afghan spinners deserves the spotlight, Rahmanullah Gurbaz proved to be a crucial turning point in the match. The explosive opener, who smashed a blistering 80 .

As expected, Rashid Khan was the wrecker-in-chief for Afghanistan. His mastery of spin bowling and variations in pace proved too much for the New Zealand batsmen. He picked up wickets at regular intervals, effectively dismantling any hopes of a Kiwi comeback. The support from Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad was equally impressive, as they choked the flow of runs and kept the pressure on the New Zealand batsmen throughout their innings.

This sensational upset victory has thrown Group C wide open. Afghanistan will be brimming with confidence heading into their next match, while New Zealand will need to regroup quickly to keep their qualification hopes alive. The T20 World Cup has just witnessed a thrilling encounter, and the rest of the tournament promises to be equally exciting as teams vie for glory.