New Zealand vs Afghanistan, ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2024 Full score card

OUT! TAKEN! Fazalhaq Farooqi ends with a four-fer. Short of a length and on top of off. Henry looks to pull but top edges it to deep backward square leg. Karim Janat runs in and holds onto it. Afghanistan win by 84 runs and close to 5 overs to spare. Huge boost to their net run-rate.

A fuller delivery, outside off, stays low. Henry swings wildly and misses.

A yorker from Naveen-ul-Haq to end the over. This is on middle, Boult defends it out.

Naveen-ul-Haq goes slower, fuller and around off, Boult blocks it out.

Goes for the yorker but it is just sliding down, on the leg side. Boult misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.

Serves it full and around off. Henry chips it to long on for a single.

Touch fuller, outside off. Henry looks to drive but toe ends it to covers.

Bowls it full and around off, Boult drills it to long on for a single.

A single to end the over as Boult nudges it to deep mid-wicket.

This is full and just outside off. Trent Boult takes a big stride forward to work it away but misses and it goes through the gate.

A googly, sliding wide of off. Henry pulls it to mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! First six of the innings comes from batter number 9! Tossed up on off. Henry slogs it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Very full and wide of off. Trent Boult eases it to long off for a single.

Too full and on off, Henry pushes it to long off for a single.

Trent Boult is the last man in.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! As easy as you like! Rashid Khan strikes on the final ball off his spell and Afghanistan are one just a wicket away from a famous win. Rashid gives the ball air and bowls it on a nagging length, on off, Lockie Ferguson prods forward to smother the spin but it comes off the upper half of the bat and it lobs tamely back towards the bowler. Rashid Khan runs a few steps forward and takes the simplest of catches.

Serves the googly, short and on middle, it stays low as well, on middle, Lockie Ferguson gets on the back foot and works it off his pads through backward square leg for a couple of runs.

WIDE! Drifts down leg, on a shorter length, Lockie Ferguson misses the tickle. Wide given.

Quicker and shorter, outside off, Lockie Ferguson backs away way too far and misses out on the cut.

Fuller and at 84.6 kph, on middle and leg, Lockie Ferguson gets his bat out in front and keeps it out on the leg side.

Slips in the googly, on middle and leg, a bit short, Lockie Ferguson defends it away off his pads.

Tosses it up, full and on middle, Matt Henry gets on the front foot to defend. Gets an inside edge that rolls through square leg for one.

Lockie Ferguson comes in next.

OUT! STRAIGHT THROUGH THE GATE! Mohammad Nabi has his second and the Kiwis slip further. Gets the ball to come back in with the angle from around the wicket, on a length, on middle, Mitchell Santner gets half-forward and plays for the turn as he looks to push it to the right of the bowler. It is the arm-ball from Nabi and it slides on to brush the front pad before going on to crash into the stumps.

Sliding onto the pads, on a nagging length, Matt Henry turns this one behind square on the leg side for a run.

Goes straight on, on a nagging length, around off, Matt Henry pats it to cover off the front foot.

Slower through the air and gets the away turn, on off, Mitchell Santner punches it with the turn to deep cover for a single.

From wide of the crease by Nabi, this is flat and short, on off, Mitchell Santner chops it down on the off side.

Bowls it on a short length, on middle, Mitchell Santner rocks back and whips it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Attacks the stumps and keeps it on a nagging length, Matt Henry gets on the back foot quickly and pushes it to the right of the bowler.

Drags the length back and it is around middle, Matt Henry goes on the back foot and plays it to mid-wicket.

Floats it up and it keeps a bit low as well, Matt Henry looks to drive but misses.

WIDE! Turning down leg, on a nagging length, Matt Henry gets inside the line to tickle it fine but misses.

Quicker and flatter, on off, a bit short, Matt Henry goes for the cut but the ball skids through to go under the bat.

Another googly but much fuller, on middle, Matt Henry is equal to the task as he presses forward to block it out.

Dishes out the googly, short and on off, Matt Henry covers the line of the ball and defends it out.

Drinks break! Afghanistan are all over New Zealand at the moment and are heading towards their second straight win in the competition. They have not allowed any breathing space to the Kiwi batters and have been rewarded with wickets at regular intervals. As for New Zealand, their batters have looked out of sorts, and it is about reducing the margin of defeat from hereon more than anything else.

A successful over for Afghanistan! Tossed up, outside off, Santner looks to defend but does so inside the line.

Flat and outside off, Henry tucks it to long on for a single.

Matt Henry walks in now.

OUT! TAKEN! This is the wicket Afghanistan needed! They have one foot over the line. Two points closer are the Afghan boys! Too full and on middle, Glenn Phillips looks to go downtown but toe ends his shot to long on where Rashid Khan judges it well near the ropes at long on.

Ripper from Nabi! Bowls it full and around off, Glenn Phillips looks to flick but gets an outside edge to third man for a couple of runs.

Fuller and around off from around the wicket. Santner pushes it to long off for a single.

Tossed up on middle, Glenn Phillips mistimes his slog-sweep to deep square leg for a single. 50 up now.

An appeal for caught behind, Rahmanullah Gurbaz in particular is more interested but they do not review. Tossed up, outside off, probably the googly. Santner prods across to defend but seems to miss it.

Fuller and outside off, Glenn Phillips knocks it through point for a single.

FOUR! Welcome boundary! A half-tracker from Khan on middle and Glenn Phillips pulls it hard to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Leg bye! Tossed up on the pads. Santner misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. It rolls on the leg side for a leg bye.

Mitchell Santner comes out to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! LBW! Rashid Khan is on a hat-trick! Michael Bracewell looked bamboozled here. He has taken it upstairs though! No bat involved clearly. Ball Tracking shows THREE REDS! It is all Afghanistan at the moment! Flatter delivery, around off, again it skids through the surface. Michael Bracewell was clearly not ready here, he goes back to flick but misses and gets wrapped on the pads. Takes the review but more in hope.

Michael Bracewell comes out to bat now.

OUT! BOWLED! The middle stump is uprooted! A scramled seam, leg-breaker bowled on the shorter side and on middle, just skids through and Chapman rocks back to pull but misses as the ball stays low. It goes past the blade and crashes the stumps. Two in two for Rashid Khan.

A dot to end! Three runs off it. Shorter, quicker and outside off, Glenn Phillips punches it to cover.

Easy single! Floated full and on middle, Chapman tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Tidy over so far from Nabi! This is full and outside off. Chapman goes for the reverse sweep but mistimes and luckily it went on a bounce to the the man at first slip.

Tad short and wide of off. Glenn Phillips hits it to deep cover for a single.

Angles in a full ball on off, Chapman works it to deep point for a single.

Tossed up, outside off, Chapman plays it back to the bowler.

Top stuff from Khan! A googly, quicker on the fuller side and on middle, Glenn Phillips gets inside the line and blocks.

A googly, full and around off, Chapman taps it to point for a quick single. The fielder throws it well wide of the keeper and it rolls away. Chapman then tries to sneak a single but Glenn Phillips denies and the former had to dive back to his crease.

Shorter and outside off, Glenn Phillips cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! Releases a bit of pressure! Full and sliding down the leg side, was the googly as well. Glenn Phillips whips it down past short fine leg for a boundary.

Fuller and on middle, Mark Chapman plays it to long on for a single.

Mark Chapman is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! One skipper gets another one! Rashid Khan, the magician has arrived with a bang! Flatter, slower and around off, Williamson goes back and tries to dab it away but knowing there is a slip, that was a risky shot, still goes for it but edges it straight to Gulbadin Naib who makes no mistake. Hard one for Naib as he takes it to his left.

Just three runs off the over. Beauty from Naveen-ul-Haq to end the over. Spears a length ball with an angle, just outside off and makes it to tail away late. Glenn Phillips hangs back to defend but is beaten comprehensively.

Just waits for the ball to arrive does Glenn Phillips and drops it to point for no run.

TWO RUNS! On a length and outside off, Glenn Phillips punches it hard and wide of the man at sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

A halt in play as the physio is out to attend to Naveen-ul-Haq for a finger injury. We are all good to go now.

A length ball, around off. Glenn Phillips plays it late and in front of point.

Slants it on a length and on middle, Williamson nudges it to square leg for a single.

A length ball, outside off, it lands and nips away. Williamson flashes his blade and misses it.

And again! Farooqi lands it in the channel on off, full as well, Glenn Phillips stays rooted in the crease as he goes for the drive. Gets rushed in his shot and he chops it behind the wicket.

In the air...but safe! Glenn Phillips is riding on his luck early in his inning. Farooqi pitches it up, on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips closes his bat face early as he looks to clip it away off his pads. Gets a leading edge that evades Rashid Khan sprinting across to his left at wide long off. Two runs taken.

Lands it on a hard length, on the off-stump line, Glenn Phillips punches it with a straight bat to mid off.

Almost dragged it back onto the stumps! Skiddig on, short of a good length, outside off, Glenn Phillips fiddles at the delivery without any foot movement. Gets an inside edge that sneaks past the stumps and rolls down to short fine leg.

Glenn Phillips comes in now.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Fazalhaq Farooqi gets the third over in his opening spell and he makes it count! New Zealand in all sorts of trouble. Farooqi angles it in from around the wicket and this is on a hard length, over middle, Daryl Mitchell hangs on the back foot to defend it with a straight bat. The ball nips away off the deck and catches the outside edge. Rahmanullah Gurbaz behind the wicket makes no mistake and sends Mitchell packing.

Good shot for no run! Farooqi bowls it full and on off, not much movement in the air though, Daryl Mitchell firms the drive but straight to cover.

This is bowled at 105.2 kph, coming in with the angle, on off and on a length, Kane Williamson advances and dabs it late to backward point.

FOUR! Kane Williamson cuts and cuts well! Naveen-ul-Haq varies his pace again as this is slower but too wide, short as well, Kane Williamson latches on it and slaps it over point for a boundary.

At pace and slanting in from over the wicket, on off, at 130.1 kph, Kane Williamson watchfully blocks it out right under his eyeline.

Rolls his fingers over the ball and it is on a length, on off, Kane Williamson defends it out with a straight bat.

Bowls it on a back of a length, on middle, Daryl Mitchell gets on his toes and nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

A massive shout for LBW but the umpire shakes his head! This looks closer than the earlier call and Rashid Khan has taken the review again. Naveen-ul-Haq charges in from over the wicket and dishes it out on a good length, on off and middle, Kane Williamson plays all around it as he walks across his stumps. Gets pinged on the front pad as he misses to get any bat on it. There is nothing on UltraEdge but the ball is clipping the leg stump and it is umpire's call. A huge moment in the game.

FOUR! Edged away! Goes full and straight, at the stumps, Daryl Mitchell uses his feet to play it with a straight bat. Gets an inside edge as the ball comes back in and it races wide of short fine leg for a boundary.

Shaping in, on a good length, on leg, Daryl Mitchell fails to help it away as the ball brushes his pads and rolls to the keeper.

Daryl Mitchell walks to the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! A soft dismissal and Fazalhaq Farooqi has now sent both Kiwi openers back in the hut in his opening spell. New Zealand up against it early on. Farooqi bowls it on a good length, on off, Devon Conway gets a stride in as he looks to push it through the off side. The ball stops in the surface, resulting in Conway going through the shot early. Plays it well in front of his body and chips it straight to Ibrahim Zadran at cover.

FOUR! Flayed away and New Zealand have the first boundary of their chase. Length delivery, outside off, Devon Conway plays it well away from his body and pushes at it with hard hands. Gets it over short third for a boundary.

WIDE! Takes pace off but gets the radar wrong as this is down leg, on a fuller length.

Leg bye! A loud shout for LBW but Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks the only one interested! Rashid Khan resists this time and does not take the review. A wise decision though as it looked to be going down leg. Angling in, on a hard length, Kane Williamson walks right across his stumps to work it away with the angle. Gets hit on the front pad and crosses over as the ball rolls on the off side.

Comes in from around the wicket and slants it back into the right-hander, on a good length, Kane Williamson does enough to get his bat out in front of the pads to keep it out.

WIDE! Errs in line does Farooqi as this is down leg, on a back of a length, Kane Williamson misses the tickle. Wide given.

Floats it up as he bowls it from wide of the crease, on off, Devon Conway knocks it back to the bowler with a good stride in.

Goes straight on, short and on off, Kane Williamson uses the depth of the crease and cuts it wide of backward point for one.

Fires it on the pads, short as well, Devon Conway goes back and nudges it through square leg for a single.

A big, big shout for LBW but turned down! Nabi slips this one in with angle from around the wicket, fuller as well, on off, Devon Conway gets down for the sweep but the ball is not full enough. It spins away past the bat and strikes Conway near the left elbow. Afghanistan look convinced and Rashid Khan sends it upstairs. There is nothing on UltraEdge but the impact is outside off on Ball Tracking. Afghanistan lose an early review.

Now then! Significant grip and turn! On a nagging length, on off, Devon Conway gets taken aback a bit but does well and dabs it on the off side.

Begins from around the wicket and tosses it up nicely, outside off, Devon Conway drives away from the body. The ball grips in the surface and catches the outside edge. It dribbles past short third for a couple of runs.

Mohammad Nabi will bowl from the other side.

Uh oh! Sloppy from Nabi! Keeps it full and on off, Devon Conway firms the drive straight to mid off where Mohammad Nabi lets it through and concedes a single.

An absolute peach of a delivery! Serves it just outside off, fuller in length and it goes away from the left-hander very late, Devon Conway's head falls over to the off side as he tries to clip it away. Gets squared up as the ball zips past the bat.

WIDE! Misses the mark on the other side of the wicket this time. This is beyond the tramline on off, on a short of a good length, Devon Conway reaches out to cut but misses.

Two leg byes! Tries to make the ball shape back into the left-hander but gets the line wrong, full and on the pads. Devon Conway misses the tickle. The ball rolls away off his pads between short fine leg and the keeper for a couple of runs.

Kane Williamson is underway as are New Zealand! Pitches it right up to the batter, outside off, Kane Williamson leans on it and drives it through covers. The ball is in the air for a brief period but it goes through the gap. The fielder in the deep, runs and dives to his right to save a run for his side. Three runs taken.

Dishes it out on a fullish length, at 132.9 kph, on off, Kane Williamson gets his bat out in front and keeps it out off the toe-end of the bat.

Kane Williamson comes in early to the crease!

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! What a start for Fazalhaq Farooqi and Afghanistan! Farooqi picking up from where he left off in the game against Uganda. A golden duck for Finn Allen. Charges in from over the wicket and goes full, attacking the stumps. Gets the ball to tail back in sharply, Finn Allen clears his front leg and has an ugly hoick across the line. The ball sneaks past the inside edge and shatters the woodwork.

Wow! How rare is this? Just 3 runs off the final over in a T20 game. Sensational stuff from Trent Boult. This is full and angling into the left-hander from over the wicket, Najibullah Zadran looks to play at it but gets an inside edge that goes down to deep fine leg. Just a single off it then. Afghanistan finish with 159 on the board!

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! It has been all New Zealand in this last over! Second wicket of the night for Boult! Takes pace off and bangs it into the deck, over middle, Gulbadin Naib takes the short ball on but fails to get the power and distance to clear the man in the deep. Holes out to Glenn Phillips at deep mid-wicket who takes an easy catch.

Dishes it out on a fullish length, on middle and leg, Karim Janat whips but gets an inside edge onto the boot and the batters cross as the ball rolls away on the off side.

Leg bye! Full and straight from Boult from over the wicket, Gulbadin Naib clears his front leg to swipe across the line but misses as the ball hits him on the front pad before going on to hit the back leg. The batters cross as the ball rolls on the off side. New Zealand take the review but the Ball Tracking shows the impact to be outside leg.

New Zealand have taken a review for LBW. That is clearly pitching outside leg. Not out it is.

Gulbadin Naib comes in next.

OUT! CASTLED! Cracking yorker and it had to take something special to get rid of Gurbaz. End of a special knock from the Afghan opener. Trent Boult executes the yorker an the base of the off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays inside the line of the ball and pays the price as the ball zips through to crash into the off stump.

OUT! RUN OUT! Rahmanullah Gurbaz needs the strike and Rashid Khan has to sacrifice! Digs it out on a fullish length, angling away, on off, Rashid Khan jams his bat down but fials to dig it out. Rahmanullah Gurbaz sets off but Rashid is late to react. Devon Conway releases the throw back to Boult who does the rest by taking the bails off at the bowling end.

Trent Boult to bowl the final over.

SIX! Thumped down the ground! A maximum to the start the over and a maximum to end it too from Gurbaz. Width on offer on off and it is a slot-ball, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays low to make the connection and swings through the line. Smokes it back over the bowler's head for six more. 16 runs off the over.

Slower and fuller, around off, Rashid Khan whips it along the ground to long on for one.

At 121.2 kph, on a length, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drags the shot to deep mid-wicket. A cry of anguish from Gurbaz as he thought he missed out there. Just a single off it then.

Halt! A quick concussion test going on as Rashid Khan gets hit on the helmet. He looks fine and ready to go.

Oh, dear! That has deflected onto the helmet! Mitchell rolls his fingers over the ball and it is short as well, on middle, Rashid Khan crouches as he goes for the pull but fails to ride the bounce. Gets a top edge that hits him onto the helmet. The batters cross as the ball rolls on the off side.

More like it from Mitchell! Takes all the pace off and goes short, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz mistimes the pull in front of square on the leg side for a single.

SIX! The gamble to give Daryl Mitchell the penultimate over has not started well for New Zealand. Mitchell serves it right in the slot, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is deep in his crease and he does not miss out. Tonks it over long on for a biggie.

Gets the ball to skid through, short and wide on off, Rashid Khan throws his hands at it but fails to connect. A successful over for Ferguson as he finishes with figures of 4-0-28-1.

FOUR! Streaky but Rashid Khan is away! Hurls it on a back of a length, outside off, Rashid Khan throws the kitchen sink at it but gets beaten for pace.  Gets an outside edge that races down to deep third for a boundary.

Rashid Khan comes to the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! Golden duck for Mohammad Nabi and finally, Lockie Ferguson gets the reward. Ferguson misses his mark again as he dishes out a full toss, on off, Mohammad Nabi was better off playing this one straight but closes the bat face to work it across the line. Gets a leading edge that lobs tamely towards mid off where Kane Williamson does the rest. A soft dismissal.

Ferguson nails the yorker, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles across a bit and clips it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Up and over and it almost went the distance! Ferguson goes for the change up but slips out a low full toss, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz holds his shape and spanks it over mid off for four more runs.

FOUR! Lockie Ferguson gets greeted back into the attack with a boundary. This is on a hard length, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shimmies down the track and hits it back over the bowler's head. Daryl Mitchell at long on, slides to his left but fails to cut it off. Should have done better there Mitchell.

Mohammad Nabi is the new man in.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Matt Henry has the last laugh but it was a useful hand from Omarzai. Rolls his fingers over the ball and lands it full, on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai moves leg side and shapes up to go big on the off side. He does not have any pace to work with and ends up slicing it in the air towards deep cover where Lockie Ferguson takes it.

SIX! Clean as a whistle! Azmatullah Omarzai is keeping the momentum going for Afghanistan. Henry goes short and angles it in, on middle and leg, not short enough though. Omarzai make room for himself and deposits it over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen.

Sees the batter back away and follows him does Henry, slower as well, on a short of a good length, Azmatullah Omarzai tries to cut but gets an outside edge that goes on the bounce to the keeper.

SIX! High and handsome! Henry bangs it into the wicket, on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai stands tall and fetches the pull from shoulder height. Nails the hit over deep square leg for a biggie.

Nearly sneaked through! At pace, on a good length, at the stumps, Azmatullah Omarzai stays leg side of the ball to work it across the line. Gets an inside edge back onto the pads.

Digs it in short but takes pace off, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls it on the bounce to deep square leg for a single.

Good running! Slows it up and drags the length back, on middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai goes on the back foot and places it with soft hands in front of long on for a couple of runs.

FOUR! That is a shot and a half! A bit quicker and fuller, on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai backs away and opens his shoulders up. Carves it over cover for a boundary.

Coming in with the arm, full and on off, Azmatullah Omarzai does enogh to cover the line of the ball and defends it out on the off side.

Beaten! Angles it in, on a length, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai goes for the expansive drive but it dips and spins away to beat the bat.

Very full and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses his feet and swats it to long on for a run.

Spears it in, full and on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai knocks it down to long off for a single.

A length ball, outside off, Omarzai slaps it to sweeper cover for a single.

BEAUTY! Short of a length and close to the off pole. Omarzai looks to defend this one but misses.

Short and on the hips. Omarzai tickes it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Azmatullah Omarzai is in at number 3.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Finally, somethings goes New Zealand's way! Matt Henry keeps it short and it climbs off the deck, this is outside off. Ibrahim Zadran tries to upper-cut but bottom edges and it deflects back onto the stumps. Can New Zealand build on this ?

Halt! Ibrahim Zadran cops a blow on the grill on his helmet and the physio is out to perform the mandatory concussion check. Ibrahim is ready to resume.

Beauty from Matt Henry! Maybe a bit of frustration in this delivery from Henry! Bangs it short and on middle, stays low. Ibrahim Zadran gets in an awkward place as he tries to play it but instead gets hit on the helmet. The physio is out.

Falls between the Bermuda Triangle! Just not the Kiwis day! An off-cutter into the surface, outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz swings across but top edges it to short third man. The keeper, the man from point and the fielder from third man runs through but it still finds the green grass.

Fuller and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks it to mid-wicket for a single. Clever bowling from Mitchell Santner!

Another dot! Tossed up on leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz skips down and flicks but close to the keeper and does not take a single.

Flat and comes with the arm on leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes back to pull but miscues it back on the deck.

Full and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to covers for a single.

Fuller and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drills it back to Mitchell Santner who misfields and allows a single. 100 up for Afghanistan!

TWO RUNS! Too full and on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz nudges it with soft hands to deep mid-wicket. These two just challenged Glenn Phillips here while running between the wickets.

A length ball, around off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks it out.

Fifty for Rahmanullah Gurbaz! He made the most of the lifelines given to him and rewarded himself with a half-century here. Shorter and on middle, this is hit to square leg for a single.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled to deep square leg for a single.

A length ball on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz turns it on the leg side. Trent Boult runs across and underams it on his side but misses. Even, Dwayne Bravo, the bowling coach for Afghanistan has his hands on his head! Not the New Zealand team we usually see.

SIX! Wow! Rahmanullah Gurbaz, you beauty! Such a hard shot to play but he has made it look so easy! Short in length and outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses his feet and holds his shape as he flat-bats it straight down the ground for a biggie.

New Zealand seriously are all over the place. Length ball, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches it to deep point for a single. Rahmanullah Gurbaz wanted another one but was sent back. The throw goes flying past the bowler's end and they do get the second run.

Good comeback from Lockie Ferguson but still 10 runs off the over. A slower length ball on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays it to cover for a single.

Another dot! Hard length delivery on middle, Gurbaz makes room and drops it to point.

This is full and around off. Gurbaz taps it to short third man where Mark Chapman dives to his left and makes a solid stop.

Full and on off, off-cutter this time. Ibrahim Zadran chops it to the off side for a single.

SIX! That is best of the lot so far! Such a good looking shot! Length ball on middle, flick of the wrists from Ibrahim Zadran and he deposits it over square leg for a biggie.

A length ball, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran slashes his blade but slices it to deep point who runs to his left, dives and saves two runs.

SIX! Massive over! Bad from our side as we thought one of them will go aggressive but Afghanistan have opted for both to go bang, bang! Tad short and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz hammers it over mid-wicket for a maximum.

Excellent running! Flatter and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran dabs it to short third man for a single.

SIX! Clean from Ibrahim Zadran and 13 runs of three balls! Too full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran hits it with the turn over long on for a  maximum.

On the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz sweeps it to short fine leg for a single.

SIX! Welcome boundary! Expect one of these two to go aggressive from here on. Flatter and on middle, not that short but Rahmanullah Gurbaz played well as he went back to tonk it over square leg. Again, half-a-chance as Glenn Phillips got his hands on this one in the deep but fails to hold on to his left.

Tossed up on middle, Ibrahim Zadran eases it to long on for a single.

DRINKS! Well, you know who needs a minute or two to think what has gone past their face! New Zealand right! They look so far away from the contest, they are all over the place right now. Tell about run outs, dropped catches and not taking their chances. We could create an extended highlight of this 10 overs itself. For Afghanistan, they continue to ride their lady luck but more importantly they need these two to change gears now.

Buzzers! New Zealand haven't been upto the mark in the field so far. Good-length delivery, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays it right under his eyeline and pats it in front of point. Ibrahim Zadran gets across but Mark Chapman fires in a needless underarm throw at the batting end, allowing the batters to take an extra run. At the halfway mark, Afghanistan are 55/0.

DROPPED! That would have been a blinder had Kane Williamson pulled it off. Ferguoson misses his mark as he serves a waist-high full toss, at the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran backs away to go over mid off but fails to get the power to clear the man there. Kane Williamson back tracks and leaps with his right hand but the ball does not stick. The batters cross for one.

Make that four dots in a row! Pressure building on Ibrahim Zadran. Bends his back and digs it in short, over off and middle, Ibrahim Zadran clears his front leg and swings for the pull shot but the ball climbs on him and sails over the bat.

Three dots on the trot! Dishes it out on a fullish length, at 148.3 kph, on off, Ibrahim Zadran digs it out back to the bowler.

Alters his length as he bowls it on a good length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran covers the line and stabs it down on the off side.

Hurls it full and on the off pole, Ibrahim Zadran backs away and cracks the drive but it goes straight to point.

Keeps it at the stumps, on a short length, Ibrahim Zadran punches it with a straight bat to long on for a run. New Zealand have done well to pull things back, conceding just 8 runs off the last 3 overs.

Switches back to over the wicket and lands it on a nagging length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran dabs it straight to backward point.

Slides on the pads from around the wicket, Rahmanullah Gurbaz swipes this full delivery to deep backward square leg for one.

This is flat and short, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes back and chops it away on the off side.

Tosses it up, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it through covers for a single.

Very full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drills it straight back to the bowler.

Bangs it on a hard length, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz mistimes the pull in front of mid-wicket. Back-to-back tidy overs from the Kiwis.

Fuller and on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran drives it firmly to long on for one.

A loud shout for LBW but there seemed to be two noises. Lockie Ferguson has a word with Conway and New Zealand do not take the review. Honing in at the stumps, on a good length, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays all around it but luckily for him, he gets an inside edge. The ball rolls to the off side for one. No bat and Gurbaz was gone for all money. Scratch that, the replays have rolled in and the UltraEdge shows no bat. Moreover, the Ball Tracking shows three reds. Huge chance missed by New Zealand.

Pitches it up, slanting in, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz clips it nicely but straight to mid-wicket.

Close but not close enough! Takes pace off and lands it full, on middle, Gurbaz backs away and smacks it along the ground, straight at the stumps. The ball zips past Ferguson and does not nick his outstretched right boot. The ball shatters the stumps and rolls back to the bowler. Ferguson collects it and runs to pluck the middle stump. Ibrahim Zadran is backing up too far but dives in time to make his ground at the bowling end.

A run out appeal has been taken upstairs. Lockie Ferguson tries to get his boot across before the ball hits the stumps but the third umpire says no contact with the boot.

Steams in from over the wicket and hits the money straight away. Ful and angling in, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz covers the line of the ball and defends it out.

A bit quicker and shorter, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran glides it nicely but can't get it past backward point. A quiet first over from Bracewell.

Comes from around the wicket and pulls the length back, at the hips, Rahmanullah Gurbaz helps it to short fine leg for one.

Gives the ball air and bowls it on off, full as well, Ibrahim Zadran eases it down to long on and gets to the other end.

Floats it up, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran goes for the drive but miscues it back ot the bowler.

Tosses it up, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz skips down the track and drills it aerially to the left of the bowler for a single.

The pitch is holding a bit for the spinners and Kane Williamson is quick to go with spinners from both ends.

Beats the bat straight away! Starts off on a nagging length and it goes straight on, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays inside the line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pushes it through, on middle and leg, on a nagging length, punched straight to cover by Zadran.

Serves it right up, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drives it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Santner slows it up and goes full, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran presses forward and goes inside out over cover for a classy boundary.

Given LBW but Ibrahim Zadran has succesfully overturned it! New Zealand's delight is short-lived. Fires it in with the angle, on a good length, Ibrahim Zadran misses out on the sweep and gets rapped on the back pad. The finger goes up and Ibrahim takes the review after having a word with Gurbaz. There is nothing on UltraEdge but the ball is going over the leg stump.

Fuller and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz knocks it down to long off for a single.

Oh, no! New Zealand are not helping themselves in the field here! Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets away with it. Santner drops it short, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles and steers it to short third. Sets off for the single but gets sent back by his partner. Gurbaz has to put in the dive and the dive isn't going to save him as the short third fielder is quick to release the throw but the keeper, Devon Conway fails to hold on and spills an easy chance.

A single to end the over! Could have had a wicket as well! Length and on the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Calls for two and gets it easily! Length and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks with soft hands to mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

On middle, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to mid on for a single.

DROPPED! This should have been taken! Finn Allen is the culprit! Not the start the Kiwis were looking for! Short in length and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran pulls it flat to deep square leg where Finn Allen runs to his right and tries to take near his chest but drops a standard catch.

Has Lockie Ferguson misjudged there? Was in the air for a while! Shorter and angling on the hips. Zadran looks to pull but mistimes it to short fine leg. Lockie Ferguson first goes back and then puts a late shift to go for the catch. Ends up taking it on a bounce.

Short of a length and on leg. Zadran stays back and tries to defend but miscues it on the pitch.

FOUR! How did the bails not come off? Afghanistan are riding their luck! There was definitely a sound, Gurbaz is lucky to survive. Santner bowls it quick, full and on leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses his feet and swings across but misses. The ball deflects off the leg stump and it goes past the mitts of Conway and to the fine leg fence.

LEG BYES! Santner tails it on the pads. Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses his flick and it goes off the pads to fine leg for a couple of runs.

Flighted full and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz digs it out back to the bowler.

Very full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drives it to long off for a single.

Mitchell Santner bowls it quick and this one holds a bit, on the middle and Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away and knocks it to covers for a single.

Mitchell Santner tosses it up and tails it on middle and leg, slides on a lot. Rahmanullah Gurbaz prods to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW but the finger stays down.

Time for early spin as Mitchell Santner comes into the attack.

Just a single now! Short in length and on the hips. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls it to short fine leg for a single.

In the air and wide of Trent Boult! Ibrahim Zadran has not yet hit his strides here. Tad fuller and around off. Ibrahim Zadran punches on the up and to the left of Boult, it falls short of mid off for a single.

Leg bye! This one shapes in late and stays down. A length ball from around the wicket and on middle and leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. Easily, going down.

Top nut from Boult! Just keeps changing his lines and lengths here. A length ball, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes back to cut but misses.

Fails to time here! Shorter and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran miscues his pull shot to square leg for a single.

Trent Boult comes around the wicket and slants it full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to cover.

FOUR! Expensive over from Matt Henry but he has the Afghani openers on their toes all through. A good length delivery, around off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to defend but outside edges it just to the left of short third man and it races away.

Leg bye! Dropped? No, given as a leg bye! Short in length and on middle, wobbled seam and came with an angle. Ibrahim Zadran bends his back to ramp it over but goes off the arm to the right of the keeper. Devon Conway fails to hold on.

FOUR! Much more in control! This will help his confidence a lot. Pitches it up on middle, Ibrahim Zadran flicks on the up and over mid-wicket for a boundary. Afghanistan off to a bright start.

FOUR! Off the edge! Third time lucky you reckon here. Touch fuller and comes with the angle on leg. Ibrahim Zadran opens his stance to heave but inside edges it well past the keeper and to fine leg.

A huge shout for LBW but that was straying down. Again, Ibrahim Zadran is beaten for the pace. Twice now. Full and on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Matt Henry serves it on a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran is beaten for pace, tries to punch but splices his shot through point for a couple of runs. He is off the mark now.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Matt Henry.

A length ball, on middle, shapes in late here. Rahmanullah Gurbaz has his stumps covered as he blocks it out.

BEATEN! Teasing delivery! A length ball, outside off, holds its line. Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets his head down to defend but is well beaten.

On a length and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz taps it in front of point.

FOUR! That is some shot! Excellent from Gurbaz! A length ball, outside off, enough width for Rahmanullah Gurbaz to hammer it past covers for a boundary.

Two runs and Afghanistan are underway! Half-a-chance here! Trent Boult dishes a low full toss as he tries to find some swing, this is on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks on the up but in the gap through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Past the outside edge! Expect Trent Boult to make it move in the start! A length ball, angled across Rahmanullah Gurbaz who tries to defend but does so inside the line.

We are done with the national anthems and are all set for the action to commence. The two umpires make their way out to the middle and the players of New Zealand join them. It will be the talented pair of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz to open the innings for Afghanistan. Trent Boult is at the top of his mark and he is raring to go. Let's play...

We are moments away from the first ball in this crucial Group C clash but before that, Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan will lead their respective sides out for the national anthems. It will be Afghanistan's first followed by the national anthem of New Zealand.

PITCH REPORT - Katey Martin is pitchside. She starts by saying that a nice breeze is blowing across the ground. Informs that pitch number 2 will be used for this game, resulting in an 84-metre long straight boundary with 77 metres and 70 metres being the square boundaries. Simon Doull joins her and says that since back-to-back games are going to be played at this venue, the ground staff have left a good amount of grass. Feels that the batters will be tested on this surface which will assist pacers and there will be a bit of spin as well.

Rashid Khan, the skipper of Afghanistan says they are happy to bat first, tells they want to play good cricket and get used to the conditions as quickly as possible. Tells they had a couple of rests day, they recovered after the last match and are ready for this big game. Informs Mujeeb Ur Rahman is out due to an injury and Noor Ahmad is back. Mentions Mujeeb Ur Rahman is struggling with the same injury and it is hard to understand how much time it will take.

The captain of New Zealand, Kane Williamson says that they will bowl first. States that they want to make first use of the fresh surface and feels that there might be some dew around later. Tells that the preparation has been different as compared to other teams but they have trained well over the past week and they are looking forward to this game. Informs that Tim Southee, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi and James Neesham miss out.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad (In for Mujeeb Ur Rahman), Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Finn Allen, Devon Conway (WK), Kane Williamson (C), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

TOSS - New Zealand have won the toss and will BOWL.

It won’t be easy for them though as they are facing a tough assignment against Afghanistan who have adapted to the conditions pretty well. Where teams are struggling to score even 150, the Asian team scored 183 against Uganda, Farooqi was the hero with the ball as he scalped five wickets. Afghanistan, who in the last couple of years would be called underdogs are termed favourites to go all the way this year. That’s the leap they have taken and definitely, this is the contest you don’t want to miss. Stay tuned for toss and other updates.

Hello and welcome to the action in Group C where New Zealand will take on Afghanistan. Mostly all the teams have played a match or two but the Kiwis start their campaign today and that could be a positive sign for them. We have seen how the pitches have been different from what we are used to see and the Kiwis would have got an idea or two of how the conditions are and could get things going right away.

...Match Day...

New Zealand will face Afghanistan in the 14th game of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. New Zealand is a strong contender for the title and will aim to start their campaign strongly. Afghanistan, having defeated Uganda, will look to perform well but has a poor record against New Zealand. Kane Williamson's team, despite not playing warmup games due to key players being involved in the Indian T20 League, and will aim to make a strong start in the tournament and secure their first points. With one of the strongest squads in the competition, they will be determined to meet high expectations. They will rely on an explosive opening partnership of Devon Conway and Finn Allen, followed by experienced players like Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Mark Chapman in the middle order. The team's good finishers, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, and Mitchell Santner, are expected to contribute in the lower order. The Kiwis side possesses a strong bowling attack as well, led by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, with Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi utilizing the pitch conditions. Overall, the team's depth in batting and bowling makes them a formidable opponent in the competition. Rashid Khan's team, on the other hand, has had a strong start in the tournament, with a convincing win over Uganda by 125 runs. Both batsmen and bowlers executed their plans effectively in the previous game. As they face a tougher challenge ahead, Rashid Khan will emphasize the importance of maintaining momentum and securing another victory. Their openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran's impressive 154-run partnership had set a solid foundation for the team in their previous game. The middle order, featuring Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, and Gulbadin Naib, is expected to contribute significantly. Power hitters Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan add depth to the batting lineup. The bowling unit, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, aims for early breakthroughs. Rashid Khan plays a key role in the middle overs alongside Naveen-ul-Haq, supported by Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, and Gulbadin Naib in a formidable bowling attack. It remains to be seen if Afghanistan can overcome the odds and secure a victory.