- Afghanistan beat Papua New Guinea by 7 wickets.
- Afghanistan qualified for Super 8 along witrh West indies from Group C.
- Gulbadin Naib top-scored for Afghanistan with 49 runs.
This victory enabled Afghanistan to advance to the Super 8 and simultaneously knocked New Zealand out of the T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan successfully chased a humble target of 95 runs, losing only three wickets in 15.1 overs.
The opening batsmen, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (7) and Ibrahim Zadran (0), were sent back to the pavilion early, but Gulbadin Naib remained unbeaten with 49 runs off 36 balls, including four fours and two sixes, ensuring Afghanistan’s win.
Earlier, Afghanistan’s efficient bowling performance dismissed PNG for a mere 95 runs in 19.5 overs.
PNG’s innings took a hit as they quickly fell to 17-4 in the fourth over, significantly hampering their ability to set a competitive score.
Kiplin Doriga, the wicketkeeper-batter, was the top scorer for PNG with 27 runs off 32 balls.
Fazalhaq Farooqi, the pacer, stood out among Afghanistan’s bowlers once again, with commendable figures of 3-16 in four overs.
“I want to congratulate the entire team because we have now officially qualified for the Super 8. I feel proud,” said Farooqi, who was named Player of the Match.
“Before the warm-up match, I was in the IPL. I did not get any chances there unfortunately. I played just one warm-up game. I know how to carry my body and I just tried to keep it simple. I try to get some wickets if there is some movement or swing. If there is nothing, then I try to go to plan B, not go for boundaries and keep it simple. We have to give our 100% and we will try our best to do it in the last match as well,” he added.
From Group C, Afghanistan and the West Indies are the two teams that will progress to the Super 8. PNG and New Zealand have now been eliminated from the tournament.
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