Rampant Afghanistan mauled a lethargic New Zealand by 84 runs to grab top spot in Group C at the T20 World Cup with a shock win at the Guyana National Stadium on Saturday AEST.
Set a challenging 160 for victory, the Black Caps crashed to 75 all out off 15.2 overs to suffer their first defeat ever to Afghanistan in T20Is.
Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the way for the Afghans with a top score of 80 off 56 balls, which included five sixes, posting 103 for the first wicket with Ibrahim Zadran (44) on the way to 6-159.
Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi then followed his five-wicket opening match demolition of Uganda with the first three wickets of the New Zealand innings before coming back to claim a fourth, sealing the win.
Captain and formidable leg-spinner Rashid Khan shared the bowling honours with a haul of 4-17, including opposite number Kane Williamson with the first ball of his spell.
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New Zealand’s capitulation and obvious rustiness leaves the 2021 finalists with a tough challenge ahead, starting against co-hosts West Indies in Trinidad next Wednesday.
“Congrats to Afghanistan, they simply outplayed up in all facets,” Williamson said after the defeat.
“The skills they had made it difficult for us.”
Afghanistan will next face Papua New Guinea at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 10.30am AEST.