T20 WC 2024, Match 14, Afghanistan vs New Zealand: Fazalhaq Farooqi's early strikes leave New Zealand in big trouble - Cricket Winner

The 14th match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 took place between Afghanistan and New Zealand at Providence Stadium in Guyana. New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl. After the record opening stand of Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi shone with the ball.

Fazalhaq Farooqi stepped up with the ball

After Afghanistan finished at 159 in 20 overs, Fazalhaq Farooqi struck in his first delivery. With a full and swinging delivery, he bowled Finn Allen on a duck. He then dismissed Devon Conway for a mere 8 off 10. He didn’t give the chance to New Zealand batters to settle in the middle as well.

However, his third wicket came in the form of Daryl Mitchell. He bowled a short of a good length ball from round the wicket and Mitchell got an edge, leaving his side in the trouble scoring a mere 5 off 5. His stunning spell and restricted bowling saw New Zealand could only manage 33 runs in the powerplay.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran added a record partnership

Bowling first, New Zealand bowlers had a tough time as they found it tough against an in-form opening pair where Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz took on them with their batting. While Gurbaz started the onslaught with the boundary in the very first over, Zadran soon joined hands in the second over and hit back-to-back fours to Matt Henry as well.

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Gurbaz was aggressive since the beginning, taking on the experienced New Zealand bowling attack with 5 boundaries and as many sixes as well in his quickfire knock. On the other hand, Zadran smashed 2 fours and as many sixes as well throughout his knock.

It is also noteworthy that Gurbaz reached his half-century in 40 deliveries. Their stunning batting helped them to add a record 103 runs for the opening wicket before Zadran got out for 44. However, they registered a record as well. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran became the first opening pair with consecutive century partnerships at the men’s T20 World Cup as well.

Trent Boult and Matt Henry brought back New Zealand in the match after the initial onslaughts and the duo finished with two wickets each as well. Lack of support from the middle order saw Afghanistan post a total of 159/6 in 20 overs.