Afghanistan secured their third consecutive victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a comprehensive 7-wicket win over Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Led by Fazalhaq Farooqi’s incisive bowling and Gulbadin Naib’s composed half-century, Afghanistan cruised to a comfortable victory, solidifying their spot in the Super 8 stage.expand_more
PNG’s Batting Struggles
Winning the toss, Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi elected to bowl first, a decision that immediately bore fruit. Fazalhaq Farooqi struck early, removing both openers Tony Ura (11) and Assad Vala (3) cheaply. This set the tone for a disciplined bowling display from Afghanistan, as PNG’s batsmen struggled to build partnerships and score freely.
PNG’s middle order fared no better, with Lega Siaka, Sese Bau, and Hiri Hiri departing without troubling the scorers. Kiplin Doriga (27) and Alei Nao (13) provided some resistance, but their efforts were not enough to lift PNG out of the mire. The team folded for a modest 95 in 19.5 overs, leaving Afghanistan a straightforward target to chase.expand_more
Farooqi’s Bowling Masterclass
Fazalhaq Farooqi’s opening spell proved to be the turning point of the match. His impeccable line and length, coupled with subtle variations, consistently troubled the PNG batsmen. Farooqi finished with figures of 3/16, earning him the Player of the Match award for his match-winning performance. Naveen-ul-Haq (2/4) also chipped in with two crucial wickets, further dismantling the PNG batting order.expand_more
Afghanistan’s Measured Chase
Afghanistan’s chase began with a hiccup, as Rahmanullah Gurbaz (11) fell early. However, Gulbadin Naib (49*) took charge, anchoring the innings with a mature and composed knock. Naib’s innings was characterized by his ability to find the gaps and rotate the strike, ensuring that Afghanistan always remained ahead of the required run rate.
Azmatullah Omarzai (13) and Mohammad Nabi (16) provided valuable support to Naib, as Afghanistan steadily chipped away at the target. Despite losing a couple of wickets, the chase never looked in doubt, and Afghanistan reached the target with 29 balls to spare.expand_more
Key Takeaways
- Farooqi’s Dominance: Fazalhaq Farooqi’s impressive bowling display was the highlight of the match. His ability to take wickets upfront and maintain pressure on the PNG batsmen set the tone for Afghanistan’s victory.
- Naib’s Composed Knock: Gulbadin Naib’s unbeaten half-century was a testament to his maturity and composure under pressure. His ability to control the tempo of the chase ensured Afghanistan a comfortable victory.
- PNG’s Batting Frailties: PNG’s struggles against quality bowling were evident throughout the match. Their inability to form partnerships and counter the Afghan spinners proved to be their downfall.
- Afghanistan’s Balanced Performance: Afghanistan’s comprehensive win was a result of a balanced team effort. Their bowlers set up the victory, and their batsmen finished the job with clinical precision.
Looking Ahead
Afghanistan’s third consecutive win secures their spot in the Super 8 stage, where they will face tougher opponents. However, their confidence and momentum will be high after this dominant display. PNG, despite the loss, can take some positives from their bowling performance, especially the efforts of Alei Nao (1/26) and Semo Kamea (1/16). They will need to address their batting woes to be more competitive in their remaining matches.expand_more
Statistical Highlights:
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan): 3/16 (3.2 overs)expand_more
- Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan): 49* (36 balls)expand_more
- Kiplin Doriga (PNG): 27 (32 balls)
- Alei Nao (PNG): 1/26 (4 overs)
Match Summary
Afghanistan’s comprehensive victory over Papua New Guinea showcased their all-round prowess and confirmed their status as one of the favorites to progress further in the tournament. The win was a testament to their disciplined bowling, mature batting, and tactical acumen. For PNG, this match highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in their batting department. Nevertheless, their spirited performance, especially with the ball, suggests that they have the potential to cause upsets in the future.
Detailed Scorecard:
Did not bat: Fall of wickets: 12-1 (Assad Vala, 1.5), 12-2 (Lega Siaka, 2.1), 12-3 (Sese Bau, 2.2), 17-4 (Hiri Hiri, 3.1), 30-5 (Tony Ura, 5.4), 46-6 (Chad Soper, 9.4), 50-7 (Norman Vanua, 12.1), 88-8 (Kiplin Doriga, 17.5), 89-9 (Alei Nao, 18.2), 95-10 (Semo Kamea, 19.5)
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Detailed Scorecard:
Did not bat: Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi Fall of wickets: 8-1 (Ibrahim Zadran, 1.4), 22-2 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2.5), 55-3 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 8.4)
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