Afghanistan underlined their status as the dark horses of the T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea on Thursday to advance to the Super Eight phase of the competition and eliminate New Zealand as a result.

Fazalhaq Farooqi solidified his tally as the leading wicket taker in the tournament with three more scalps as PNG were bundled out for 95 off 19.5 overs in the Group C match at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.

In reply, Afghanistan stumbled, losing both openers cheaply but eventually reached the target for the loss of three wickets in the 16th over for a third straight win.

Gulbadin Naib, dropped on nine by wicketkeeper Kiplin Doriga off medium-pacer Alei Nao, took his team past the finish line with an unbeaten 49 in an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 46 with Mohammad Nabi (16 not out). Afghanistan finished on 101/3 off 15.1 overs.

The result confirms Afghanistan’s place, together with co-hosts West Indies, in the next round while eliminating New Zealand, who still have two group games to play.

Source: Firstpost

BDST: 1508 HRS, JUNE 14, 2024
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