Kiwis register comfortable win over Afghanistan

New Zealand beat Afghanistan by 136 runs in their Cricket World Cup fixture played at MA Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium in Chennai yesterday. New Zealand led by Tom Latham continued their winning formula with this victory to maintain an unbeaten record.

Afghanistan chasing a target of 289 were all out for 139 in 34.4 overs. Santner was the key spinner taking 3 for 39, well supported by Lockie Ferguson who also captured 3 for 19 in his seven overs. Glenn Phillips who scored 71 for New Zealand was named the Man of the Match.
   

New Zealand were invited to bat first but openers Will Young and Devon Convay were unable to make a good start. Conway was first to be out, scoring 20 in 18 balls, and off spinner Mujeeb Ur Rehman took the first breakthrough. However, Opener Young completed his fifty in aggressive style in 57 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes, adding a 79-run third wicket stand with Rachin Ravindra who scored 32 in 41 balls.

Skipper Tom Latham took responsibility to build up innings scoring 68 in 75 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes while, Glenn Phillips top-scored 71 in 80 balls with 4 fours and 4 sixes. It was a fine recovery by New Zealanders who were struggling at 114 for 4 wickets after 22 overs. Naveen Ul Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai took 2 wickets each.

Unbeaten India will meet Bangladesh in Pune and this game is also a key attraction from all over India. India team led by opener Rohit Sharma having all three match wins maintains the top spot on the points table.

Chief scores:

New Zealand 288 for 6 wickets in 50 overs: Devon Convay 20, Will Young 54, Rachin Ravindra 32, Tom Latham 68, Glenn Phillips 71, Mark Chapman 25, Naveen Ul Haq 2/48, Azmatullah Omarzai 2/56.

Afghanistan: 139 in 34.4 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 14, Rahmat Shah 36, Azmatullah Omarzai 27, Ikram Alikhil 19, Trent Boult 2/19, Mitchell Santner 3/39 Lockie Ferguson 3/19)