Afghanistan’s cricket team has clinched a coveted spot in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 following a resounding victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG). The match, which took place on Friday, June 14, saw Rashid Khan’s squad emerge triumphant by 7 wickets at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad.
This marks a significant milestone for Afghanistan in T20 World Cup, as it’s the first time in the tournament’s history that they have advanced to the top 8 teams. Their journey to this stage has been marked by steady progress since their debut in the Super 10s in 2016, followed by appearances in the Super 12s in 2021 and 2022.
In their latest match against PNG in T20 world Cup, Afghanistan not only secured their place in the Super 8 but also reclaimed the top spot in Group C’s points table. Meanwhile, New Zealand faced elimination from the competition, languishing at the bottom of the table with a net run rate of -2.425.
Opting to field first, Afghanistan showcased their bowling prowess by restricting PNG to a mere 95 runs in 19.5 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi led the charge with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 16 runs in his allotted 4 overs, further solidifying his position as the top wicket-taker of the season. Naveen-ul-Haq and Noor Ahmad also contributed crucial breakthroughs, leaving PNG struggling to build momentum.
Chasing the modest target, Afghanistan encountered a minor hiccup when opener Ibrahim Zadran fell for a duck early on. However, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib steadied the innings with composed batting performances. Despite losing a few wickets along the way, Afghanistan comfortably reached the target with 29 overs to spare, courtesy of Gulbadin’s unbeaten knock of 49 runs.
Also read: Non-bailable warrant issued against BS Yediyurappa in POCSO case
With this commanding victory, Afghanistan now looks ahead to their final Group match against West Indies, led by Rovman Powell, scheduled for Monday, June 17 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia. As they continue their quest for T20 glory, Rashid Khan’s men aim to build on their momentum and make a strong impression in the upcoming stages of the tournament.
