Afghanistan thrashed New Zealand in just 15.2 overs on Saturday in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 at the Providence Stadium in Georgetown, Guyana.

Chasing the target of 160 runs, New Zealand fell far short of it and were bowled out for 75 in 15.2 overs. 

Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi set the tone for the New Zealand innings when he bowled out Finn Allen on the first ball of the match. He took four wickets. Captain Rashid Khan was another destroyer with the ball for Afghanistan as he also claimed four wickets.

Earlier, New Zealand invited Afghanistan to bat first. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, playing a brilliant innings, lifted his team's total to 159 at the loss of six wickets 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the highlight of the game as he scored 80 off 56 balls with the help of five boundaries and as many maximums. Gurbaz was followed by Ibrahim Zadran who hit two maximums and three fours to score 44 runs off 41 balls.

Meantime, Azmatullah Omarzai played 13 balls to score 22 runs. Captain Rashid Khan returned to the pavilion after hitting 6 runs. 

This is the 14th game in the ongoing premier cricket tournament. New Zealand are hitting the ground for the first time in the event. Meanwhile, Afghanistan beat Uganda in their tournament opener.

BDST: 0924 HRS, JUN 8, 2024
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