2 weeks Ago
Afghanistan will eye another all-round effort to crush an inexperienced Papua New Guinea in Tarouba and enter the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup, and the result will have another underlying effect — knock out New Zealand. The win will carry Rashid Khan's side to Super Eight from Group 'C' alongside the West Indies, who have qualified on June 13 with a win over New Zealand. It will also mean curtains for the 2021 finalists New Zealand who have lost two out of two.
That Rahamanullah Gurbaz (156 runs) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (9 wickets) are currently leading the chart of run-makers and wicket-takers respectively is a just reflection of their fine run in this ICC showpiece. Apart from Gurbaz, the experienced Ibrahim Zadran too has contributed well to Afghanistan's totals, making 114 runs with a highest of 70. In bowling, pacer Farooqi has made a fine combination with Rashid, who has so far taken six wickets from two matches.
It has ensured that Afghanistan's opponents do not have any let-up either upfront or in the middle passage. The PNG might be a spirited side, but it looks way beyond their abilities to overcome a formidable Afghanistan. Teams (from) Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik.
Papua New Guinea: Assadollah Vala (c), Alei Nao, Chad Soper, CJ Am.
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