Afghanistan cricket team achieved a surprising victory against New Zealand cricket team in the 14th match of T20 World Cup 2024. Former New Zealand cricketer Mitchell McClenaghan and former India cricketers Wasim Jaffer and Irfan Pathan shared their thoughts on Afghanistan’s victory on social media.
New Zealand had a dismal start to their World Cup campaign as they were eliminated by just 75 runs against Afghanistan at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Friday, June 7 (local time). Afghanistan claimed an 84-run victory in their second match. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan took four wickets each.
Farooqi dismissed Finn Allen for a golden duck in the first over. The left-arm seamer took the wickets of Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell in the powerplay. Rashid Khan ran through the New Zealand batting line-up in the mid overs. Glenn Phillips was the Blackcaps’ top scorer, scoring 18 runs off 18 balls.
Mitchell McClenaghan reacted with humor to Afghanistan’s victory over New Zealand in the 2024 T20 World Cup match. He jokingly asked on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) how to report a “murder” in Guyana.
“How do I report a murder in Guyana? #T20WorldCup24 #AFGvsNZ,” McClenaghan wrote.
How do I report a murder in Guyana? #T20WorldCup24 #AFGvsNZ
-Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) June 8, 2024
Premium Professional Screen – Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer praised Afghanistan’s performance on social media and highlighted the initial partnership of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. The former Indian cricketer criticized New Zealand for not being well prepared for the World Cup.
“Over 100 openings from Gurbaz and Ibrahim, Fazalhaq destroying the top order, then Rashid running through the middle order. Top-notch professional display from Afghanistan! New Zealand, on the other hand, looked extremely ill-prepared and paid a high price. #NZvAFG #T20WorldCup,” Jaffer wrote.
Over 100 starts from Gurbaz and Ibrahim, Fazalhaq destroyed the top order and then Rashid broke through the middle order. Top-notch professional exhibition from Afghanistan! New Zealand, on the other hand, seemed very ill prepared and paid a high price. #NZvAFG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/OJ0Oam31MQ
—Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 8, 2024
They can be a very dangerous side – Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan praised Afghanistan for their victory against New Zealand. Pathan suggested that if Afghanistan’s batting performs well consistently, they could become a formidable team in the World Cup due to their excellent bowling in these conditions.
“Well done Afghanistan for beating New Zealand. If their batting works consistently, they can be a very dangerous team in this World Cup because their bowling is top quality in these conditions,” Pathan wrote in X.
Congratulations Afghanistan for beating New Zealand. If their batting works regularly, they can be a very dangerous team in this World Cup because their bowling is top quality in these conditions.
—Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 8, 2024
They are very special people as human beings – Ajay Jadeja
Ajay Jadeja, who served as Afghanistan’s mentor for the ODI World Cup last year, expressed his gratitude towards them. Jadeja pointed out that they are very special people as human beings, adding that he has not found such qualities anywhere else in the world.
“Not because I have spent time with them and am grateful to them. I think they are very special people as human beings. There is something about them that I have never experienced in most of the world,” Ajay Jadeja said.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 80 runs off 56 balls, including five boundaries and as many sixes. Gurbaz added 103 runs in the opening partnership with Ibrahim Zadran in 14.3 overs. Afghanistan managed to set a competitive total of 159 runs. Afghanistan currently leads Group C of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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