Afghanistan qualify for Super 8, New Zealand knocked out

Afghanistan produced a strong bowling performance for the third game running to register a comfortable seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on Thursday, thereby knocking New Zealand out of the Men’s T20 World Cup. 

Afghanistan and West Indies qualify for the Super 8 stage from Group C.

Their win was set up by new-ball spells from fast bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq that saw PNG lose five wickets inside the powerplay for 30. A total of four run-outs did not help PNG’s cause either as they were dismissed for 95.

Afghanistan romped home with 29 balls to spare with Gulbadin Naib staying unbeaten on 49 off 36 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes). The result meant that for the first time since 2014, New Zealand bowed out before the semi-final stage of a Men’s World Cup – ODI or T20.

Scores: 

PNG 95 (19.5) (Kiplin Doriga 27, Fazalhaq Farooqi 3/16, Naveen-ul-Haq 2/4)

Afghanistan 101-3 (15.1) (Gulbadin Naib 49*)