• New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson recorded most economical bowling figures in T20 World Cup history.

  • New Zealand defeated Papua New Guinea by 7 wickets in their last match of Group C.

Fans and experts erupt as Lockie Ferguson delivers best bowling figures in T20 World Cup history
Lockie Ferguson - NZ

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New Zealand ended their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign on a high note with a dominant victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Brian Lara Stadium. The Black Caps successfully chased down a modest target of 79 runs after bowling out PNG for 78 in 19.4 overs.

In a match that saw fast bowler Lockie Ferguson enter the record books, New Zealand’s bowlers showcased their prowess. Ferguson bowled four consecutive maiden overs, a rare feat in T20 cricket, and finished with remarkable figures of 4-4-0-3. His exceptional performance dismantled PNG’s batting lineup, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s comprehensive win.

Lockie Ferguson gives PNG a nightmare

Ferguson, coming in as a first-change bowler, followed up the early breakthroughs made by Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Southee and Boult had already decimated PNG’s top order, setting the stage for Ferguson’s heroics. The right-arm pacer dismissed PNG skipper Assad Vala, followed by Charles Amini and Chad Soper, completing a spell of bowling rarely seen in the shortest format of the game. Boult and Southee also made significant contributions, each taking two wickets and applying relentless pressure on PNG’s batsmen.

Chase stumbles but New Zealand prevails

New Zealand’s chase, although small, was not without its challenges. The Kiwis lost Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, and then Devon Conway, who top-scored with 35 runs. Despite these setbacks, Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson ensured there were no further hiccups, steering New Zealand to victory with 7 wickets in hand and 46 balls to spare.

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New Zealand finish third in Group C

Both New Zealand and PNG were already out of the Super 8 contention before the start of the match. Afghanistan and West Indies secured the two qualifying spots from Group C. New Zealand ended their campaign in third place with two wins and two defeats.

As the Black Caps reflect on their mixed performance in the tournament, the final match against PNG provided a moment of brilliance, particularly from Ferguson, ensuring they exited the competition with heads held high.

Here’s how fans and cricket experts reacted on X:

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ANIRUDH SINGH
Anirudh is the Head of Content at CricketTimes.com. He is a seasoned journalist and content writer with 12 years of experience in the field of cricket. With over 9,000 published articles under his belt, Anirudh brings a creative and strategic approach to his work, always striving to deliver content that resonates with audiences. A die-hard sports fan who loves playing, watching and talking about cricket. Cricket is his Religion & 'Sachin Tendulkar' his GOD. His motto of life is Eat, Sleep, Cricket, REPEAT!! You can write to him at anirudh@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.