AFG vs PNG | Fazalhaq's mastery blended with Gulbadin’s class secured Afghanistan's Super 8 berth with a thumping win over PNG

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Afghanistan defeated Papua New Guinea by seven wickets in Trinidad, securing their place in the ICC World T20 2024 Super Eight stage. Fazalhaq Farooqi's three-fer restricted PNG to 95 runs, while Gulbadin Naib's 49 off 36 deliveries anchored Afghanistan's successful chase with 29 balls to spare.

‌Brief score: AFG 101/3 (15.1) [Gulbadin 49*(36), Nabi 16*(23); Kamea 1/16(3)] defeat PNG 95 (19.5) [Doriga 27 (32), Nao 13 (19); Fazalhaq  3/16 (4)] by seven wickets
‌In pursuit of a spot in the Super Eight, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan opted to field after winning the toss against Papua New Guinea. The decision proved brilliant as Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq wreaked havoc on PNG's top order, reducing them to a precarious 30/5 by the end of the powerplay. Afghanistan's fielding was exceptional, highlighted by brilliant run-outs that dismissed Chad Soper and Norman Vanua, leaving PNG struggling at 55/7 after 13 overs. Despite the early setbacks, Alei Nao and Kiplin Doriga mounted a resilient fightback forging a crucial 38-run partnership that pushed PNG's score to 82/7 by the 17th over. However, Afghanistan's Noor Ahmad and Farooqi struck back decisively, removing both batsmen in the 18th and 19th overs. In the end, Papua New Guinea could only muster 95 runs before being bowled out, owing to Afghanistan's impressive display of bowling and fielding expertise.

Afghanistan's innings began on a nervy note as they lost their star openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran within the powerplay. Nonetheless, Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai steadied the ship guiding the score to 46/2 by the end of seven overs. Papua New Guinea showed great grit and managed to dismiss Omarzai in the ninth over, tightening the game with Afghanistan at 56/3. At the halfway mark, Afghanistan were cautiously placed at 59/3 with Mohammad Nabi and Naib at the crease. Needing 31 runs from nine overs, the game seemed to tilt in Afghanistan's favour. The pair built a 46-run partnership steering Afghanistan to victory in 15.1 overs with the score reaching 101/3, securing a seven-wicket win. With this triumph, Afghanistan secured their berth in the Super Eight.

Dream ball!

Big win for AFG!

Massive victory!

Congrats!

What a win!

He is the man!

Hahaha! LOL xD xD

Hilarious!

Like a boss!

Yeah!

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