New Zealand beat Afghanistan by 149 runs in match number 16 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 to taste their fourth successive win in this edition of the marquee event. The 2019 runners-up were asked to bat first and posted a formidable first innings total of 288/6 with Glenn Phillips shining for the Kiwis with the bat, top-scoring 71 off 80 deliveries. In the run chase, once Afghanistan lost their openers, they appeared to surrender under mounting pressure of scoreboard and losing wickets at regular intervals, ultimately getting bowled out for 139 in 34.4 overs.
Other than Phillips’ innings, there were several other players who played an instrumental role in this victory for the BlackCaps. Opener Will Young scored 54 off 64 deliveries to provide a solid base to the team. However, the Kiwis lost 3 wickets in 9 balls and were reduced to 110/4 at one stage. It was then that Phillips (68 off 74) and Tom Latham joined hands and put together a stand worth 144 off 153 balls. Later, when New Zealand were eyeing a strong finish, Mark Chapman also played a part remaining unbeaten on 25 off 12 to help New Zealand get to the total they eventually got.
For Afghanistan, Naveen-ul-Haq (2/48) off his 8 overs was the pick of the bowlers. Azmatullah Omarzai also picked 2 wickets for 56 runs off his 7 overs but leaked runs post his first over which produced both his wickets. Spinners Rashid Khan (1/43) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1/57) were the other wicket-takers for Afghanistan. In the run chase, Afghanistan never really got going once they lost their openers with just 27 on the board.
Rahmat Shah’s 36 off 62 was the highest score of an Aghanistan batter in the run-chase in the 289 raising questions over their decision to bowl first despite them having a great total defending totals. Afghanistan were also guilty of dropping catches and a missed stumping opportunity all of which proved too costly for them in the end. For the Men in Black, Lockie Ferguson (3/19) and Mitchell Santner (3/39) were impressive while Trent Boult (2/18), Matt Henry (1/16) and Rachin Ravindra (1/34) were the other wicket-takers.