Match 29 of the T20 World Cup 2024 mega cricket extravaganza featured a match between the growing Asian team Afghanistan (AFG) and the Oceania minnows Papua New Guinea (PNG). Interestingly, the thrilling match was played on Friday, June 14 at Tarouba, Trinidad’s Brian Lara Stadium.
After escaping a small scare during the run chase versus Papua New Guinea, Team Afghanistan bounded into the Super Eight round. Rashid Khan, the captain, called it at the toss and elected to play with the ball first. For the majority of the game, the Afghan Atlans kept the minnows quiet with some excellent seam bowling and persistent fielding.
The outcome was that PNG were folded for 95 runs, which gave the Afghans an easy time to begin their run chase. As the team’s top scorer (27 out of 32), Kiplin Doriga displayed some resistance. The captain, Assad Vala, did not have a good day and was run out in the second over of the innings. Fascinatingly, the runout spree persisted as Semo Kamea (2), Norman Vanua (0), and Chad Soper (9), all followed suit and barely bothered the scores.
In reference to Afghanistan, pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi continued his amazing run with the ball and took three wickets (3/16) while bowler Naveen ul Haq (2/4) was economical in his bowling performance. Noor Ahmed recorded his only wicket (1/14) in the spin department, adding his name to the list of wickets.
The opening batsmen for Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, struggled to get going during the run chase, with Kamea of PNG dismissing Zadran for a duck. Gurbaz was bowled by Nao after he was out shortly after in a similar manner. Remarkably, this was also the first occasion that the duo failed to record a century stand in the current T20 World Cup 2024.
The aggressive Asian side, however, had other ideas and made short work of the target thanks to a brilliant knock from Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai, who put up a 33-run stand off 35 balls to win the match by seven wickets without allowing it to get any easier. Furthermore, because to their winning streak, New Zealand has been eliminated from the current T20 World Cup.
Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: PNG vs AFG, Match 29 Highlights
Fazalhaq Farooqi, Player of the Match:
“I want to congratulate the entire team because we have now officially qualified (for the Super Eight). I feel proud. Before the warm-up match, I was in the IPL. I did not get any chances there unfortunately. I played just one warm-up game. I know how to carry my body and I just tried to keep it simple. I try to get some wickets if there is some movement or swing.
If there is nothing, then I try to go to plan B, not go for boundaries and keep it simple. We have to give our 100% and we will try our best to do it in the last match as well. (On Rashid trying to interrupt him during this interview) He is trying to make me laugh but I am not laughing (smiles).”
Assad Vala, Losing Captain:
“They are a really good bowling team and to give them four easy wickets with four run-outs, especially my run-out, that was a bit lazy. (On assessing the conditions) It has been challenging for every team. We spoke about trying to give ourselves a chance and then launch at the end, something we learnt from Rutherford the other day.
We could not execute unfortunately but they bowled well too. I am really happy with the way the bowlers have been going. We have not put up enough runs for them to defend. The execution of their skills and their planning has been really good. Ale has been good with the new ball, Kamea bowled beautifully. We created a few opportunities but we could not hold on. It is a challenge, getting the exposure against quality quick bowlers. We do not face these bowlers in Associate cricket.”
Rashid Khan, Winning Captain:
“Feeling great to qualify for the next round. First time for Afghanistan being in Super Eight in T20Is. The boys have done well, adjusting to the conditions very quickly and that is something very pleasing for me. It is very important to have someone like him (Farooqi), and it helps you later as well if you get a couple of wickets.
The more you attack when there is help for you, the better it is for you. Even if the batter is attacking, you have to attack as well. We are lucky to have him in our side. (On Afghanistan’s middle order) We are happy the way the openers played in the first two games. But middle order is all in form and they just need more time.
Sometimes, it is hard in T20s when you have just 15-18 balls. It is hard to hit from ball one in these conditions. In the domestic competition, they were also scoring runs. If they get more opportunities, they will perform and give their best for the team. (On now travelling to St. Lucia) That is the beauty of playing franchise cricket, you have an idea about the wicket.
Most of the guys, like Nabi, Gurbaz played in St. Lucia and we have to share that experience with the guys who have not played much (there). It is about playing your natural cricket in those conditions. We will not change our brand of cricket, and it is about how we will play that brand in those conditions. Everyone has that ability to adjust to the conditions quickly and hopefully we will have a good game there as well.”
India
