World Cup 2023, NZ vs AFG: New Zealand Continue Unbeaten Run with Crushing 149-Run Win Over Afghanistan

Chennai: New Zealand extended their unbeaten streak in the ICC World Cup 2023 to four matches with a dominating 149-run victory over Afghanistan in Match 16 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday.

Chasing a target of 289, Afghanistan were never in the hunt and were bowled out for 139 in 34.4 overs. Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson were the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, picking up three wickets each.

Despite their memorable win over defending champions England in their previous match, Afghanistan were unable to repeat the same heroics against a well-drilled New Zealand side. Only Rahmat Shah showed some resistance with a knock of 36.

New Zealand were clinical in their approach in this high-stakes encounter, maintaining their unblemished record in the tournament and cementing their position as one of the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy.

Brief score: New Zealand 288 for 6 in 50 overs (Will Young 54, Tom Latham 68, Glenn Phillips 71; Naveen-ul-Haq 2/48) beat Afghanistan 139 all out in 34.4 overs (Rahmat Shah 36; Lockie Ferguson 3/19, Mitchell Santner 3/39) by 149 runs.