Afghanistan Hammer New Zealand in One-Sided Match | Cricket

Published May 29, 2026 · Updated August 03, 2026

Afghanistan dominated New Zealand in a one-sided cricket match. Get key highlights, scores, and analysis. Stay updated with the latest cricket news.

Afghanistan's bowlers, making the most of a ground that offered both pace and spin, gave a masterclass at Providence Stadium on Friday. They achieved an 84-run victory by thoroughly dismantling the New Zealand batting order, limiting them to a pitiful 75 runs in just 15.2 overs. Afghanistan won the T20 World Cup with ease because to their outstanding bowling performance, which saw them win by 84 runs.

Afghanistan won the match with two consecutive resounding victories. At the same location earlier in the week, they crushed Uganda by an astounding 125 runs. They have solidified their position at the top of Group C with their victory.

Afghanistan put on a clinic with bat and ball against New Zealand to continue their winning momentum 🙌#T20WorldCup | #NZvAFG | 📝 https://t.co/v8noS59c1q pic.twitter.com/du3txa6GL0

— ICC (@ICC) June 8, 2024

The unexpected choice to bowl first by New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson allowed Afghanistan to establish a total. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (80 runs) and Ibrahim Zadran (44 runs), their openers, took advantage of the situation and put together a strong partnership of 103 runs for the first wicket in just 14.3 overs.

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Trent Boult, a left-arm pacer, started the New Zealand bowling attack, while Lockie Ferguson was at the other end. But Zadrau was off to a fast start, hitting three consecutive boundaries off Boult, two of which were streaky strokes that reached the spaces, so there was some luck involved.

Rashid Khan Leads Rout as Kiwis Collapse to 75

Early on, Finn Allen was spotted at the square leg limit by a lofted hook, which was fortuitous for Zadrau. But sight was poor due to the lighting, so Allen missed the catch, saving Zadrau's life. Gurbaz was also fortunate to avoid a run-out after Devon Conway mishandled the throw behind the stumps.

Afghanistan started well, but New Zealand may have been cautiously confident at the midway point despite the early troubles with the missed catches. But when the openers picked up speed, the tide abruptly changed. Zadran hit two sixes off Michael Bracewell, and Gurbaz hit one off Boult when he came back.

When Matt Henry removed Zadran from the game, New Zealand finally made a breakthrough. Not long after, Henry claimed another wicket, dismissing Azmatullah Omarzai, who had been caught by Lockie Ferguson. After that, Boult came back to finish off the tail, claiming two wickets in the last over in addition to a run-out.

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Finn Allen, New Zealand's opener, was out of the game on the opening ball of the innings, signalling the start of their batting troubles. With a ball that slashed back off the seam and sent Allen's leg stump flying, Fazalhaq Farooqi produced a stunning strike.

Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell left early, leaving New Zealand reeling at a dangerous 28 for 3. The suffering went on for New Zealand. Then, Afghanistan's master spinner Rashid Khan assumed command, demolishing the rest of the New Zealand batting order. In rapid succession, he removed Michael Bracewell and Mark Chapman before catching Kane Williamson at slip. Eventually, New Zealand's fight gave up, as they were dismissed for just 75 runs, their second-lowest total in a Twenty20 encounter.