ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: Afghanistan beat Papua New Guinea to progress to Super Eights stage
Afghanistan’s victory meant that New Zealand exited the tournament in Group C, with hosts West Indies the other team to qualify from the group.
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Afghanistan underlined their growing status as the dark horses of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea on Thursday to advance to the Super Eight phase of the competition and send New Zealand crashing out.
Fazalhaq Farooqi added another three wickets to his tournament-leading wicket tally as Papua New Guinea were bundled out for 95 off 19.5 overs batting first in the Group C match at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.
Afghanistan stumbled early in reply, losing both openers cheaply for the first time in the tournament but eventually reached the target for the loss of three wickets in the 16th over for a third win in a row.
Gulbadin Naib, dropped on nine by wicketkeeper Kiplin Doriga off medium-pacer Alei Nao, took his team to the target with an unbeaten 49 in an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 46 with Mohammad Nabi (16 not out). Afghanistan finished on 101/3 off 15.1 overs.
The result confirms Afghanistan's place, together with hosts West Indies, in the next round while at the same time eliminating New Zealand, who still have two group matches to play.
Left-arm seamer Farooqi spearheaded another impressive Afghan bowling effort, taking two quick wickets after PNG captain Assad Vala inadvertently...
