World Cup 2023 | Tom Latham, Trent Boult Humble AFG As New Zealand Maintain Unbeaten Run

Trent Boult celebrates an Afghan wicket with teammates at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

Brief Scores: New Zealand: 288-6 (50 overs) [Glenn Phillips: 71 (80), Tom Latham: 68 (74); Naveen-ul-Haq 2/48 (8), Azmatullah Omarzai 2/56 (7)] defeated Afghanistan: 139 all out (34.4 overs) [Rahmat Shah: 36 (62), Azmatullah Omarzai: 27 (32); Lockie Ferguson 3/19 (7), Mitchell Santner 3/39 (7.4)] by 149 runs.

Afghanistan, following their historic win over defending champions England, were humbled down by 2019 runners-up New Zealand in match number 16 of the 2023 World Cup in Chennai. 

Afghanistan, following their historic win over defending champions England, were humbled down by 2019 runners-up New Zealand in match number 16 of the 2023 World Cup in Chennai.

Young, Latham, Phillips fuel NZ’s 288

Devon Conway’s entrapment at the hands of in-form Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman was followed up by a handy 69-run partnership between his opening partner Will Young and number three Rachin Ravindra.

Taking New Zealand past the 100-run mark without further casualty, both were removed by Azmatullah Omarzai within the space of four balls, while Daryl Mitchell was deceived by Rashid Khan as Afghanistan’s three-wicket burst reduced the Kiwis from 109-1 to 110-4 in less than two overs.

Interim captain Tom Latham launched his side’s counterattacking diligence with a 144-run stand with Glenn Phillips, during which both batters registered their respective half-centuries. Mark Chapman clubbed a few in the death through his 12-ball 25* as New Zealand surged to a monumental 288-6 from their 50 overs, thus completing their miraculous recovery in the backend of their innings.

Boult, Henry roar early to bring down AFG

Afghanistan in-form openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran failed to replicate their Delhi success as they were both bested by Trent Boult and Matt Henry’s new-ball dexterity in the powerplay. Number three Rahmat Shah knocked the ball around for a while but received little-to-no assistance from the other end throughout Afghanistan’s run-chase attempt.

After Shah dragged his side near the 100-run mark alongside Azmatullah Omarzai with just three wickets down, Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson scythed through the rest of the Afghan batting line-up to have their response dusted out for 139. Both Santner and Ferguson claimed three wickets each in the innings while new-ball speedster Boult finished with 2-18 from his seven overs.

New Zealand emerged victorious by a staggering 149-run margin and maintained their unbeaten streak in the ongoing 2023 World Cup.

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