New Zealand defeat Afghanistan by two wickets in Karachi forward of their Champions Trophy opener in opposition to hosts Pakistan on Wednesday.
New Zealand accomplished a surprising chase to beat Afghanistan by two wickets of their last one-day worldwide (ODI) warm-up earlier than the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz high scored with 110 off 107 deliveries, whereas Sediqullah Atal hit 52, as Afghanistan posted 305-9, batting first on the Nationwide Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan on Sunday night.
The Kiwis, who open the match on Wednesday in opposition to hosts Pakistan, appeared in bother after they had been diminished to 152-5 within the thirtieth over as Rashid Khan snared two of the wickets. Dean Conway (66), thereafter, and Glenn Phillips (46), beforehand, had been, nevertheless, each capable of retire out to supply match observe for these following.
Daryl Mitchell, who ranks seventh on the listing of ICC ODI batters, made full use of the chance, proving the ever-reliable finisher for the Black Caps as he and Matt Henry noticed their workforce over the road with an unbeaten 74-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
Mitchell’s 36 off 25 balls was closely complimented by Henry’s 31 off 20.
Either side used 15-man groups on rotation for the 11-a-side match, which considerably helped to the combination complete of 613 runs as batter after batter was despatched to the center.
It was nonetheless an in depth name for New Zealand, although, with Henry having to play his half to seal the victory with the best strike price of the match by anybody reaching double figures.
Hashmat Shahidi (40) and Ibrahim Zadran (32) helped to high up the Afghan complete earlier than their Champions Trophy debut in opposition to South Africa on Friday. Zadran shared a gap stand of 96 with Gurbaz, who was ultimately eliminated by a mix of Mitchell with the ball and Henry within the area.
The latter claimed two wickets, as did Jacob Duffy and Mitchell Santner. Afghanistan had reached 234-3 in a dominant begin earlier than Mitchell’s intervention to take away Gurbaz slowed issues.
The chase performed out in reverse trend with the gradual begin from the Kiwis, however cameos from Mark Chapman (47) and Santner (33) ensured there was not less than a basis upon which Mitchell and Henry had been capable of launch.
The Kiwi victory was achieved with 13 balls to spare and was a substantial marker laid down by a facet thought-about darkish horses for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Mitchell Santner’s facet already warmed up for his or her opener by beating hosts – and second favourites – Pakistan by 5 wickets in their tri-series final on Friday. New Zealand will play Pakistan once more within the opening match of the Champions Trophy in Karachi on Wednesday.
The Champions Trophy, thought to be second solely to the World Cup within the one-day recreation, runs till March 9 and is the primary international cricket match hosted by Pakistan in practically three many years.
AfghanAtalan fought laborious, but it surely wasn’t meant to be because the Kiwis chased down the 306-run goal by 2 wickets.
AfghanAtalan will meet the Proteas for his or her maiden #ChampionsTrophy recreation on Friday, February 21 in Karachi. 👍#AfghanAtalan | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/g6St1DTdni
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 16, 2025
