World Cup 2023: New Zealand defeats Afghanistan to record fourth victory

In the 16th match of the ICC ODI World Cup, New Zealand defeated Afghanistan by 149 runs and secured the first position on the points table by winning their fourth match in a row.

The match between Afghanistan and New Zealand was played in Chennai in which the Afghan team won the toss and decided to bowl.

New Zealand’s innings did not start well against Afghanistan, with four Kiwis getting out for 110. Opener Devon Conway was sent to the pavilion by Mujeebur Rahman for 20 runs, Will Young 54, and Richan Ravindra scored 32 runs and was dismissed by Azmatullah Umarzai while Daryl Mitchell was dismissed by Rashid Khan for one run. After the fall of four wickets, captain Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips batted responsibly and took over the team, putting together a brilliant partnership of 144 runs, both batsmen also scoring half-centuries.

However, Tom Latham was then dismissed for 68 and Glenn Phillips for 71. In the final overs, Chapman scored an unbeaten 25 and Santner scored seven runs, thus the Kiwis scored 288 runs for the loss of six wickets in 50 overs.

On behalf of Afghanistan, Naveen ul Haq and Azmatullah took two wickets each while Rashid Khan and Mujeebur Rehman took one wicket each.

Chasing New Zealand’s target of 289 runs, the entire Afghanistan team was bowled out for 139 runs in the 35th over. Rahmat Shah with 36 and Azmatullah Omarzai with 27 were the top scorers.

Lockie Ferguson and Mitchel Santner took three wickets each while Trent Boult took two wickets.