World Cup 2019: Dominant New Zealand make it a hat-trick of wins

Afghanistan Cricket Team, Aftab Alam, Cricket News, CWC 2019, Hashmatullah Shahidi, ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC World Cup, James Neesham, Kane Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, New Zealand Cricket Team, Team Afghanistan, Team New Zealand, World Cup, World Cup 2019 June 9, 2019February 25, 20204 years ago

James Neesham and Lockie Ferguson shine for New Zealand as Afghanistan suffer another horrendous defeat at World Cup 2019.

NEW ZEALAND VS AFGHANISTAN SCORECARD:

New Zealand: 173-3 in 32.1 overs | Winner

Kane Williamson: 79(99) | Ross Taylor: 48(52) | Aftab Alam: 3-45

Afghanistan: 172-10 in 41.1 overs

Hashmatullah Shahidi: 59(99) | James Neesham: 5-31 | Lockie Ferguson: 4-37

Player of the match: James Neesham

MATCH SUMMARY:

James Neesham took a career-best 5-31, while Lockie Ferguson took a 4-fer in New Zealand’s dominating win over Afghanistan at World Cup 2019.

As has been the trend after winning the toss, New Zealand chose to field first against Afghanistan.

Afghanistan openers should no signs of nervousness as they got off to a flying start registering a partnership of 66 for the first wicket. However, that was it as post the first wicket, Afghanistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

After the solid partnership of 66 for the first wicket, the next highest partnership was 35 for the fifth wicket between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi.

The lack of partnerships was the key reason why Afghanistan couldn’t post a healthy total on the board. Hashmatullah Shahidi scored the only 50+ score with his 59(99) as Afghanistan were bundled out for a meager 172 in 41.1 overs.

James Neesham led the bowling pack as he grabbed the first 5-fer of his career. Lockie Ferguson too supported him brilliantly with a superb spell of 4-37.

THE CHASE:

Defending 172, Afghanistan had a fabulous start as the dangerous Martin Guptill was sent back for a golden duck by Aftab Alam. Colin Munro too didn’t trouble the scorers in his 22(24).

The situation was perfect for Kane Williamson to play his natural game, and he did exactly that. He scored a valuable 79(99) to help New Zealand chase the target in 32.1 overs.

Aftab Alam, the only bowler to take wickets for Afghanistan as he took 3 important wickets in his spell of 3-45. So, New Zealand complete a hat-trick of wins after their win against Afghanistan at World Cup 2019.

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR AFG?

Middle-order batsmen couldn’t build on top of a fantastic start by the openers.
Rashid Khan couldn’t bowl for Afghanistan after being hit by Lockie Ferguson on the helmet.

KEY MOMENTS:

Hazratullah Zazai’s gigantic six off the bowling of Matt Henry in the 9^th over.
Mohammad Nabi’s wicket, the key turning point in the game.
Rashid Khan being hit by Lockie Ferguson on the helmet in the 34^th over.
Martin Guptill getting out for a Golden duck.