Afghanistan underlined their growing status as the dark horses of the 2024 T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea on Thursday to advance to the Super Eight phase of the competition and send New Zealand crashing out.
Fazalhaq Farooqi added another three victims to his tournament-leading wicket tally as PNG were bundled out for 95 off 19.5 overs batting first in the group C match at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.Afghanistan stumbled early in reply, losing both openers cheaply for the first time in the tournament but eventually reached the target for the loss of three wickets in the 16th over for a third win in a row.
Left-arm seamer Farooqi spearheaded another impressive Afghan bowling effort, taking two quick wickets after PNG captain Assad Vala inadvertently opened the door for his opponents when he was carelessly run out in the second over of the match. "I just keep it simple and stay with my strengths," said Farooqi after receiving the 'Man of the Match' award."If conditions are helpful for me I'm going for wickets. We just want to keep on giving 100 per cent in every match we play."
To their credit, the Papuans showed a willingness to fight after slipping to 50 for seven in the 13th over as Doriga, who top-scored with 27, and Alei Nao put on 38 for the eighth wicket before Farooqi, inevitably, separated them.
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