Lockie Ferguson Leads New Zealand to Victory Over Papua New Guinea

With Lockie Ferguson’s record-breaking bowling performance, New Zealand ended their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a decisive win over Papua New Guinea.

Ferguson’s Maiden Magic

Ferguson etched his name in the history books by bowling four maiden overs, achieving the most economical figures in T20 format with 3/0. This remarkable feat is only the second of its kind in men’s T20 Internationals, following Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar’s 2/0 against Panama in 2021.

Dominant Kiwi Bowling Attack

New Zealand’s decision to bowl first after a rain delay proved fruitful as Trent Boult, in his final T20 World Cup appearance, and Tim Southee quickly dismantled Papua New Guinea’s top order. Ferguson’s immediate impact was felt as he claimed the wicket of PNG captain Assad Vala with his very first delivery.

The Kiwi bowlers maintained a stranglehold throughout the innings, with Boult (2/15), Southee (2/11), Ish Sodhi (2/29), and Mitchell Santner (1/17) all contributing to PNG’s collapse for a meager 78 runs.

Steady Chase Ensures Kiwi Win

Despite early setbacks with Finn Allen (0) and Rachin Ravindra (6) falling cheaply, Devon Conway steadied the ship with a composed 35 from 32 balls. The experienced duo of Kane Williamson (18*) and Daryl Mitchell (19*) ensured a smooth sail to victory with plenty of overs to spare.

Reflections on Group C Outcomes

Both teams were playing their final match of the tournament after failing to qualify from Group C. For New Zealand, ranked fifth globally at the tournament’s start, early losses to Afghanistan and West Indies spelled an unexpectedly early exit, marking a disappointing end for a highly-ranked side.

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यहां से डाउनलोड करें

Who won the match Australia or Afghanistan today?

In a turn of events that has left the cricketing world in awe, Afghanistan has made a resounding statement at the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup. The team put the tournament heavyweights, New Zealand, to the sword in a match that will be remembered for years to come.

A Game of Surprises

The Kiwis, known for their formidable presence in the cricketing arena, were outplayed in all aspects of the game. Afghanistan’s performance was a testament to the nation’s emerging T20 stars, who have dared to dream and achieve in the Caribbean and USA.

New Zealand’s strategy of sending Afghanistan in after winning the toss backfired as the Afghan openers capitalized on multiple fielding errors. A missed stumping, a fumbled run-out, and a dropped catch in the outfield gave Afghanistan the lifelines they needed to build a strong innings.

The Afghan Innings

Afghanistan’s openers laid a solid foundation, reaching 55/0 at the midpoint of their innings. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who reached 50 for the second time in this tournament, and Ibrahim Zadran, who struck a handy 44 off 41 balls, led the charge. Azmatullah Omarzai added a quick 22-run cameo from just 13 deliveries, pushing the pace of the game.

Despite reaching 150 inside 19 overs, the Kiwis managed to restrict the final over to just three runs, setting a target of 160 for the win.

The Kiwi Collapse

New Zealand’s batting efforts mirrored their shortcomings in the field. Fazalhaq Farooqi, the left-arm pacer, dismissed Finn Allen with the first ball and went on to claim the wickets of Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell. Farooqi, who had taken Five wickets for nine runs against Uganda, continued his impressive form, ending with figures of 17/4 off 3.2 overs.

Rashid Khan also made significant contributions, claiming the prized wicket of Kane Williamson with his first ball and finishing with figures of 17/4 off his four overs.

A Historic Win

With Glenn Phillips’ run-a-ball 18 being the Kiwis’ top contribution with the bat, the side was all out for 75 runs off 15.2 overs. This victory leaves Afghanistan atop Group C, with two wins to start their campaign and a Super 8 berth within reach.

This match has not only been a game-changer for Afghanistan but also a wake-up call for the so-called heavyweights of the cricketing world. It’s a reminder that in the world of cricket, it’s not just about the big names but the performance on the field that counts.