Cricket World Cup 2023: New Zealand continue unbeaten run after thrashing Afghanistan

New Zealand continued their successful run within the World Cup with a thumping 149-run win over Afghanistan in Chennai.

The Black Caps slipped from 109-1 to 110-4 however had been revived by a stand of 144 between Glenn Phillips, who made 71, and captain Tom Latham’s 68.

Both had been dismissed by Naveen-ul-Haq within the 48th over earlier than Mark Chapman’s 12-ball 25 propelled New Zealand to 288-9.

The bowlers then accomplished a medical efficiency as Afghanistan had been all out for 139 in reply.

Afghanistan had been left to rue a sloppy fielding efficiency that noticed them drop 5 easy catches and miss a stumping, with opener Will Young dropped on one earlier than occurring to make a half-century.

Latham was dropped twice earlier than reaching his fifty, permitting his facet to blitz 62 from the ultimate 5 overs.

With a aggressive rating to defend, Trent Boult and Matt Henry’s economical opening burst removed Afghanistan’s openers earlier than Mitchell Santner’s spectacular diving catch eliminated captain Hashmatullah Shahidi to depart them wobbling at 43-3.

Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai recovered with a stand of 54, however because the run-rate spiralled the center order ultimately buckled underneath the stress and misplaced their final seven wickets for 42 runs.

Santner added 3-39 to his fielding efforts whereas Lockie Ferguson troubled Afghanistan together with his tempo to take 3-19.

The margin of victory boosts New Zealand’s web run-rate considerably and takes them to the highest of the desk, above India who’re additionally unbeaten having performed one recreation fewer. The Black Caps’ subsequent match is towards India in Dharamsala on Sunday.

Afghanistan got here into the sport stuffed with confidence after their shock victory over England, however because the catches fell to the bottom and probabilities had been missed, that end result appeared a distant reminiscence.

A uncommon lapse in self-discipline noticed New Zealand lose three fast wickets, together with the set pair of Young and Rachin Ravindra in the identical over.

But Afghanistan couldn’t capitalise and as an alternative, the gulf at school continued to develop.

Under stress, eventual participant of the match Phillips reined in his attacking instincts to play calmly alongside his captain, absorbing the stress earlier than setting a platform for a giant end.

They achieved that objective, however mustn’t have: an early six from Phillips sailed over the top of Azmatullah, however would have been a easy catch had he been stationed appropriately on the boundary rope, whereas easy probabilities had been spilled with Latham on 35 and 38.

Naveen’s good spell of 2-48 gave Afghanistan an opportunity to tug again some management within the last overs however Chapman instantly discovered type to strike a six and two fours in his temporary keep.

And with the ball, Latham’s males had been ruthless in their very own elegant type, the mixture of Boult and Henry bewildering the highest order earlier than Santner’s unwavering accuracy and Ferguson’s hostility mopped up the remaining.

Few spoke about New Zealand as contenders earlier than the World Cup began however they set the tone by sweeping England apart with ease, with a semi-final spot now firmly of their sights.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi: “Really upset as a result of at this degree you need to take these type of catches. That harm us, the workforce was doing good however due to that we really feel somewhat bit down.

“Tonight will harm us, however we nonetheless have extra video games to come back. Next one is Pakistan, and we are going to discuss how we will enhance and the way we come again stronger.”

New Zealand captain Tom Latham: “A really pleasing efficiency after we had been underneath stress early. We go to play India on the again of some excellent performances.

“We have played some good cricket. We have another great challenge coming up in India and then Australia, but let’s hope the momentum can continue.”

Player of the match Glenn Phillips: “Our high order has finished rather well over the past couple of video games, so to be examined within the center is basically good.

“We’ve acquired such a team-first mentality, everybody’s working for one another and considering how can we make one of the best of the moments we’re in.

“Understanding we’ve all got experience in different areas of the world, understanding what I can do for my mates and what he can do for me, just keep trusting each other.”