AFG vs PNG: Afghanistan storm into Super 8 with dominating win over Papua New Guinea
Afghanistan have made their way through to the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2024. On Friday, June 14, Rashid Khan’s men defeated Papua New Guinea by 7 wickets.
At the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad. Back in 2016, the Afghans entered the Super 10s. Thereafter, in 2021 and 2022, they progressed to the Super 12s, but this is the first time they will be amongst the top 8 teams in the history of the tournament.
With their win over PNG, Rashid and Co. also reclaimed their top spot in the points table in Group C. New Zealand, in the meantime, have been knocked out of the competition as they keep languishing at the bottom of the table with a net run rate of -2.425. After hammering Uganda by 125 runs, the Afghans got the better of the Black Caps, after which they carried the form against Assad Vala’s PNG.
Farooqi on the charge again
After opting to field first, Afghanistan got PNG on the mat after reducing their opponents to 30 for 5 in the powerplay. Fazalhaq Farooqi, who is currently the top wicket-taker this season, prized out the wicket of Lega Siaka after which he got the better of Sese Bau and Alei Nao. He was the pick of the Afghan bowlers with figures of 4-0-16-3.
Naveen-ul-Haq got the wicket of opener Tony Ura and Hiri Hiri. Assad Vala, who has been a prolific run-scorer for PNG over the years, got run out after a terrible mix-up with his opening partner, Tony. After the early blows, PNG could never recover and were bundled out for 95 in 19.5 overs.
Kiplin Doriga scored 27 off 32, but his knock was not enough for PNG to cross the 100-run mark. Noor Ahmad got his wicket and finished with figures of 4-0-14-1. Skipper Rashid, however, could not add to the wickets column although he had an excellent economy rate of 6.25.
Gulbadin steers Afghanistan
The Afghans got off to an indifferent start to their run-chase as Ibrahim Zadran failed to open his account after 7 balls. Semo Kamea bowled on a hard length to clean up the opening batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit a four and a six before Nao removed him.
From there on, Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai restored sanity with a partnership of 33 for the third wicket. Norman Vanua separated the duo after getting rid of Omarzai. But Gulbadin stayed not out on 49 as Afghanistan romped home with 29 overs to spare.
Afghanistan’s last Group match is against Rovman Powell’s West Indies on Monday, June 17 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia.