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New Zealand 288 for 6 (Phillips 71, Latham 68, Navin 2-48, Omarzai 2-56) Afghanistan 139 (Rahmat 36, Omarzai 27, Santner 3-39, Ferguson 3-19), a difference of 149 points.
After creating a sensation at the 2023 World Cup with victory over defending champions England on Sunday, Afghanistan were briefly hoping to upset the 2019 runners-up too. But the professional and experienced New Zealand brand was at the forefront again as they managed to maintain their unbeaten record to make it four out of four in the competition.
New Zealand were sent to bat, and fell from a comfortable 109 for 1 in the 21st over to an uncomfortable 110 for 4 in the space of nine balls. However, captain Tom Latham and do-it-all man Glenn Phillips revived the innings with a 144-run stand for the fifth wicket. They were also helped by Afghanistan slowing down the field with as many as six chances – five catches and a run out – as New Zealand took 288 for 6.
Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson then continued their excellent run with three wickets each as Afghanistan collapsed in a heap during the chase. Only Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai put up a semblance of a fight before Afghanistan lost their last five wickets for just 14 runs in 24 balls to be bowled out for 139 and go down by 149 runs in Chennai. The win not only gave New Zealand’s NRR a huge boost but also consolidated their position at the top of the points table.
