New Zealand bowler Lockie Ferguson celebrating with teammates after taking the wicket of Afghanistan Rashid Khan during the match between New Zealand vs Afghanistan at MAC stadium in Chennai on October 18, 2023.
| Photo Credit: M. VEDHAN

Afghanistan, flying high after the win over England, was brought down to the ground by a clinical performance from New Zealand which handed the former a 149-run defeat at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.

Asked to bat first, half-centuries from skipper Tom Latham (68) and Glenn Phillips (71) helped the Black Caps post 288 for six. On a two-paced pitch, with the ball holding off the surface, Latham and Phillips combined well for a 144-run stand for the fifth wicket to bail their side out of a tricky situation and end up with an above-par score.

In reply, Afghanistan’s chase never found any rhythm with Matt Henry and Trent Boult removing the openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran respectively.

Later, Lockie Ferguson (3/19) and Mitchell Santner (3/39) chipped in with wickets at regular intervals to shoot out Afghanistan for just 139.

Afghanistan had its moments in the match with the ball to press ahead, but some poor fielding — they dropped four catches — and sensible approach from Latham and Phillips proved too good for Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men.

In the afternoon, Will Young (54) and Rachin Ravindra laid a solid platform for the Kiwis with a 79-run stand for the second wicket.

New Zealand vs Afghanistan Highlights

Young — dropped on one by Rahmat Shah at first slip off left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi — quickly went after the spinners, using his feet against Mohammed Nabi to hit a couple of sixes before cutting Rashid Khan behind point twice as he got to his second half-century of the tournament.

Then, medium-pacer Azmatullah Omarzai gave Afghanistan an opening with twin strikes in the 21st over. He first castled Ravindra, going for a slog before Young inside-edged to the ’keeper who took a brilliant catch diving to his left.

When Daryl Mitchell pulled Rashid straight to short midwicket, New Zealand was in trouble at 110 for four, losing three wickets in nine deliveries for just one run.

Then Latham and Phillips played some old-fashioned one-day cricket, patiently rotating the strike through the middle-phase of the innings and even to play out the odd maiden.

The first sign of aggression came when Phillips swept Nabi over midwicket for a six before he guided Rashid down the fine-leg fence. He then launched into left-arm pacer Farooqi with two consecutive sixes, one over midwicket and the other over square-leg, to step on the accelerator.

After his half-century, Latham — who was dropped twice on 35 and 38 off Rashid — went after Omarzai, smashing the pacer for two sixes and a four in one over. New Zealand scored 103 runs in the last 10 overs to end up with a total which proved more than enough.

Web masters: The Afghanistan spin trio of Mujeeb, Nabi and Rashid will strive to bamboozle the Kiwis.
| Photo Credit: VEDHAN M

Afghanistan players, with the wind behind their sails after beating England comprehensively two days ago, will look to build on only its second World Cup win when it takes on New Zealand at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.

More than the result, what was impressive about Afghanistan’s 69-run win in Delhi on Sunday was how it outplayed the defending champion and always had its nose ahead throughout the match.

Right from Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s brutal onslaught at the top of the order — as he and Ibrahim Zadran added 114-run for the opening wicket — Afghanistan came out all guns blazing before its spinners spun a web around the English batters.

After being bundled out cheaply in its first match against Bangladesh, Afghanistan batters had much more disciplined performances in the two games against India and England, albeit on the most batting-friendly pitches seen so far in the tournament.

At the same time, the side will also be aware that it left runs on the table in the last two matches as it lost wickets in a cluster during the middle phase of the innings. Ahead of the match against the Kiwis, the Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi cited it as an area the team needs to work on. If it can put the runs on board, the team has a good depth in bowling to trouble most teams on its day.

Meanwhile, New Zealand, once again without skipper Kane Williamson, will look to continue its march and keep its unbeaten record. The team has gone about its business in its inimitable style, with almost every player delivering so far in their well-defined roles.

Ability to strike

The key to the Black Caps’ three wins has been their ability to take wickets through the middle phase, with the likes of Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson coming good.

While the Tom Latham-led side will be wary of the spin threat of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi, New Zealand will still feel it holds the edge, having been in the city for the last week and having a good read of the conditions.