Image Credit- AP
Afghanistan briefly entertained the idea of upsetting
the runners-up from 2019 after creating a significant stir by defeating the
defending champions England on Sunday in the 2023 World Cup. However, the New
Zealand team’s professionalism and experience once again stood out as they were
able to maintain their perfect record to complete the championship with four
victories in a row.
When New Zealand was put in to bat, they quickly went
from 109 for 1 in the 21st over to a less-than-comfortable 110 for 4 in the
space of nine balls. However, the innings was saved by the do-it-all Glenn
Phillips and captain Tom Latham, who put on a 144-run fifth wicket stand to
reach 288/6.
Then, as Afghanistan crumbled in a heap during the
chase, Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson maintained their outstanding run of
form by each taking three wickets. Only Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai
offered any resistance, as Afghanistan was bowled out for 139 in Chennai,
behind by 149 runs after losing their final five wickets for just 14 runs in 24
balls. The victory not only gave New Zealand’s NRR a tremendous lift, but it
also helped them maintain their lead in the points standings.
Afghanistan’s decision to bowl on a muggy Wednesday
prompted some questions at first, but their performance on the pitch ultimately
cost them more. On just his fourth ball of the day, Fazalhaq Farooqi found Will
Young’s outside edge, but Rahmat at wide slip was unable to hold onto what
should have been a simple catch to his left. Young, who was playing on 1,
eventually scored 54.
Ravindra and Young teamed together for a 79-run stand
after Conway left. Before Shahidi resorted to Omarzai and the medium-fast
bowler immediately delivered, Afghanistan appeared to be without choices. Four
balls later, Young was out thanks to an incredible one-handed catch by
wicketkeeper Ikram Alikhil after Ravindra missed a cross-batted smash that
destroyed his middle stump.
Afghanistan’s pursuit of 289 never really took off. Trent
Boult immediately began to benefit from the swing. He had both Ibrahim Zadran
and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the early attack, but Matt Henry was the one who
struck first. The fast returned with a length back that appeared to be sharply
back in shattering the batter’s defences and crashing into his stumps after
having just been hammered by Gurbaz right over his head.
After 14 minutes, Afghanistan was down to 43 for 3,
and their prospects were dwindling. Although Rahmat and Omarzai added a 54-run
partnership for the fourth wicket, New Zealand never allowed the match to sag.
Prior to Ferguson’s dismissals of Rashid and Mujeeb in
the 34th over, Santner’s 100th ODI wicket came from the return of Nabi, who was
bowled with an incredible ripper. Santner then put an end to the match in the
35th minute as New Zealand easily prevailed.