ICC WorldCup 2023 16th-ODI: New Zealand crushes Afganistan by 149 runs

ICC WorldCup 2023 16th-ODI: New Zealand crushes Afganistan by 149 runs

Asif Iqbal | October 18, 2023 | 10:50 PM IST | Cricket, Sports | Follow on Google News

ICC WorldCup 2023 16th-ODI: New Zealand crushes Afganistan by 149 runs. Image/AP

Less than 96 hours after their thrilling victory over defending champions England, Afghanistan received a reality check from a formidable New Zealand squad. The Kiwis secured a commanding 149-run win in a one-sided World Cup match.

New Zealand’s Unbeaten Streak Continues

New Zealand’s fourth consecutive victory in the tournament has solidified their position at the top of the standings. With an unbeaten run so far, the Black Caps are asserting their dominance.

Afghanistan’s Struggle in the Chase

Chasing a challenging target of 289 on a spinner-friendly pitch at Chepauk, Afghanistan’s batsmen found it tough to tackle New Zealand’s formidable bowling attack. They managed to score only 139 runs in 34.4 overs. Lockie Ferguson (3/19 in 7 overs) and Mitchell Santner (3/39 in 7.4 overs) proved to be formidable adversaries, leaving Afghanistan with few answers to their relentless deliveries.

New Zealand’s Batting Brilliance

New Zealand’s victory was built on the solid foundation of triple half-centuries from Will Young (54), Tom Latham (68), and Glenn Phillips (71). Their combined efforts propelled New Zealand to a winning total of 288/6 in their allotted 50 overs.

The Afghan chase was plagued by early wickets, with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (8) being the third to fall at 43 for 3. Rahmat Shah (36) and Azmatullah Omarzai (27) briefly steadied the ship, forming a 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, New Zealand’s bowlers maintained control, and Trent Boult eventually broke the partnership in the 26th over.

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Afghanistan struggled to find answers as they lost wickets at regular intervals. New Zealand’s resilience with the ball, coupled with Afghanistan’s missed opportunities in the field, made the task even more challenging.

New Zealand’s innings had its share of challenges, with five dropped catches that could have troubled Afghanistan. Young, Latham, and Phillips contributed crucial half-centuries, helping New Zealand set a competitive total on a pitch where stroke-making wasn’t easy.

The partnership between Phillips and Latham, worth 144 runs for the fifth wicket, played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s success.In the early stages of their innings, New Zealand lost opener Devon Conway (20) but recovered well with Young and Rachin Ravindra (32) forging a vital 79-run partnership for the second wicket.

Despite a missed stumping chance for Ravindra, New Zealand continued to build momentum.A brief collapse saw Young and Daryl Mitchell (1) dismissed in quick succession. However, Latham and Phillips resurrected the innings with another substantial partnership.

Latham and Phillips both reached their respective half-centuries, providing stability despite Afghanistan’s best efforts to contain the scoring rate. Their partnership was eventually broken in the 48th over, but Mark Chapman’s late blitz helped New Zealand cross the 275-run mark.For Afghanistan, Azmatullah Omarzai and Naveen-ul-Haq impressed with the ball, each claiming two wickets. Rashid Khan’s economical spell was noteworthy despite the team’s overall performance.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.