Chennai: In a World Cup clash in Chennai, Afghanistan made a strong start after winning the toss and electing to field against New Zealand. Mujeeb Ur Rahman led the way by claiming the crucial wicket of Devon Conway, who was dismissed LBW for 20 off 18 balls. Despite the initial breakthrough, Afghanistan’s fielding displayed a few lapses, with missed chances against Will Young and Rachin Ravindra during the early stages of the match.
Azmatullah Omarzai turned the tide by picking up two wickets in his opening over, triggering a mini-collapse within the Kiwi batting lineup. Afghanistan maintained an unchanged playing XI, while New Zealand was forced to make a substitution, with Will Young replacing Kane Williamson due to a thumb injury.
Afghanistan entered the contest with high spirits after a stunning 69-run victory over defending champions England. Their spin-friendly approach at Chepauk was evident, and they aimed to secure back-to-back wins against New Zealand. In contrast, New Zealand arrived at the match with confidence following a dominant victory over Bangladesh, seeking to uphold their impeccable record.
The Kiwis aimed to maintain their unbeaten streak and, with a victory over Afghanistan, sought to ascend to the top position in the tournament, currently held by India. The match presented an intriguing battle, with New Zealand being considered the favorites; however, Afghanistan’s potent spin trio, featuring Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi, added a layer of complexity.
In the end, New Zealand faced a batting collapse, going from 109/1 to 110/4 in just 22 overs, highlighting the unpredictable nature of cricket and setting the stage for an exciting contest.