• New Zealand defeated Afghanistan by 149 runs in Match 16 of ODI World Cup 2023.

  • Glenn Phillips was named Player of the Match for his splendid batting performance.

Twitter reactions: Clinical New Zealand crush Afghanistan to bag 4th consecutive win in World Cup 2023
New Zealand beat Afghanistan in ODI World Cup 2023 (Image Source: Twitter)

Table of Contents

In the 16th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, New Zealand and Afghanistan clashed in a high-stakes encounter. Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl, setting the stage for what would prove to be a dominant performance by the New Zealand side.

Glenn Phillips shines with the bat

New Zealand’s innings got off to a strong start, with the top-order batsmen laying a solid foundation. Devon Conway opened briskly, scoring 20 runs off 18 balls, including 3 boundaries. Will Young played a pivotal role in the innings, amassing 54 runs off 64 deliveries, featuring 4 fours and 3 sixes.

Tom Latham continued the momentum with a fine display of batting, contributing 68 runs off 74 balls, which included 3 fours and 2 sixes. Glenn Phillips played a crucial role in the middle order, finishing with 71 runs off 80 balls, which featured 4 fours and 4 sixes. These consistent performances allowed New Zealand to set a formidable target of 288/6 for Afghanistan to chase.

Afghanistan’s bowlers put up a valiant effort to contain the New Zealand batting onslaught. Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowled with precision, delivering 10 overs, picking up a crucial wicket, and conceding 57 runs. Naveen-ul-Haq was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, claiming 2 wickets during his 8-over spell while giving away 48 runs. Despite their efforts, Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to completely stifle the New Zealand batsmen, who kept the scoreboard ticking and set a challenging target.

Afghanistan struggle in response

In response to the challenging target, Afghanistan’s top-order faced a daunting task against the New Zealand bowling attack. Rahmat Shah was the most significant contributor for Afghanistan, accumulating 36 runs off 62 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai also played a vital role with 27 runs off 32 balls. However, Afghanistan’s batting lineup faced regular setbacks, and the team found it challenging to establish substantial partnerships. The Afghanistan side was eventually bowled out for a total of 139 runs, falling well short of the target set by New Zealand.

Also WATCH: World Cup 2023, NZ vs AFG – Azmatullah Omarzai claims two wickets in a single over

New Zealand’s bowling dominance

New Zealand’s bowlers displayed a stellar performance, ensuring Afghanistan’s innings never gained momentum. Mitchell Santner was the standout performer with the ball, securing 3 wickets while conceding 39 runs in 7.4 overs. Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult contributed with 3 wickets each, further dismantling Afghanistan’s batting lineup. The New Zealand bowlers exhibited remarkable consistency and control, stifling Afghanistan’s attempts to build a substantial innings.

Biggest wins for New Zealand in World Cups (by runs):

  • 181 vs East Africa, Birmingham 1975
  • 149 vs AFG, Chennai 2023*
  • 148 vs KEN, Gros Islet 2007
  • 143 vs WI, Wellington 2015

Also READ: ODI World Cup 2023 – Virat Kohli gears up for Shakib Al Hasan’s challenge in IND vs BAN showdown

Here is how Twitter reacted:

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AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.