Applause was received by the players of the Afghanistan cricket team after they achieved another historic victory, bowling out New Zealand for just 75 in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pundits, players and fans took to social media to praise the Afghanistan team . After defeating New Zealand by 84 runs to record their second victory of the tournament, Afghanistan have increased their giant kills in recent months. The team had already beaten England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the 2023 Cricket World Cup and has now added another feather to its cap.
“How do I report a murder in Guyana,” was humorously tweeted by former New Zealand cricketer Mitchell McClenaghan. New Zealand’s total of 75 is the fifth lowest in T20 World Cup history.
How do I report a murder in Guyana? #T20WorldCup24 #AFGvsNZ
-Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) June 8, 2024
Chasing 160 after Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s brilliant 80, New Zealand’s batting fell apart. First Fazalhaq Farooqi and then Rashid Khan completely decimated the Kiwi lineup.
“Afghanistan’s top-notch professional display!” wrote former Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer in X.
Over 100 starting positions from Gurbaz and Ibrahim, Fazalhaq destroying the top order, then Rashid running through the middle order. Top-notch professional display from Afghanistan! New Zealand, on the other hand, appeared extremely ill-prepared and paid a heavy price. #NZvAFG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/OJ0Oam31MQ
– Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 8, 2024
Farooqi and Rashid took four wickets each, while the experienced Mohammad Nabi took two.
Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja worked with the Afghanistan national team as a mentor during the 2023 Cricket World Cup and reserved a lot of praise for them.
“They are very special people as human beings,” Jadeja said.
Ajay Jadeja On @ACBofficials Afghanistan cricket players and team pic.twitter.com/3xwPukwfNq
—Rashid Latif | (@iRashidLatif68) June 7, 2024
Irfan Pathan – winner of the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 – said Afghanistan’s batting is key to them going far in the tournament.
“If their batting works regularly, they could be a very dangerous team in this World Cup. His bowling is of high quality in these conditions,” Pathan tweeted.
Congratulations to Afghanistan for beating New Zealand. If their batting clicks regularly, they could be a very dangerous team in this World Cup because their bowling is of such high quality in these conditions.
-Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 8, 2024
Afghanistan’s victory puts the team at the top of Group C with 4 points. His net run rate is also at a healthy +5.2. Afghanistan’s next match is against Papua New Guinea on June 14, a side they are yet to win.
New Zealand face West Indies on June 13.
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