Afghanistan are through to the T20 World Cup Super 8s after beating Papua New Guinea by seven wickets in Trinidad, eliminating New Zealand in the process.
After bowling out Papua New Guinea for 95, Afghanistan were made to work early in the chase but Gulbadin Naib’s unbeaten 49 got them over the line.
Gulbadin was the only batter to really find any rhythm on a tricky surface at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, hitting four fours and two sixes in his 36-ball knock.
Seamers Fazalhaq Farooqi (3-16) and Naveen-ul-Haq (2-4) did the damage for Afghanistan as three wickets in four balls left Papua New Guinea reeling at 12-3 early in the third over.
The Barramundis did not help themselves with four run-outs in the innings but having been 50-7, wicketkeeper Kiplin Doriga made 27 to somewhat improve the situation.
Conditions prevented Afghanistan from reaching their target as quickly as they might have wanted but Gulbadin finished it in style, smashing a six to complete a third straight win for Rashid Khan’s side with 29 balls to spare.
The result also confirms that New Zealand, who have reached the semi-finals in each of the last three T20 tournaments and were beaten finalists in 2021, will not progress from Group C.
Kane Williamson’s side were thrashed by Afghanistan in their opening game then lost to West Indies in their second match meaning the Black Caps will exit a World Cup before the last four for the first time since 2014.
After proving themselves to be real contenders in their first two games, Afghanistan quickly took control after choosing to bowl first.
Papua New Guinea had made a reasonable start but that all changed with the run-out of captain Assad Vala in the second over, attempting to get back for a third run.
Farooqi then took two wickets in two balls to start the third over, finding first the outside edge then the inside to dismiss Lega Siaka and Sese Bau, and Afghanistan were away.
Naveen castled Hiri Hiri with his first ball and then knocked over opener Tony Ura to leave Papua New Guinea five down before the end of the power-play.
Doriga and Alei Nao put on 38 later in the innings to drag their side towards three figures but even on a challenging surface, 95 was never going to overly trouble Afghanistan.
They did suffer an early scare in the chase, falling to 22-2 in the third over, but soon moved past that with Gulbadin leading them to victory as he shared an unbroken stand of 46 with Mohammad Nabi. (BBC sport)
