‘How do I report a murder?’: Afghanistan blow cricket world away in New Zealand humiliation

It’s been a T20 World Cup of upsets so far but the latest was way more shocking in the insane scenes that left New Zealand in ruins.

The cricket world has been left in shock after Afghanistan upset New Zealand for the first time in international play at the T20 World Cup.

But it’s not just that Afghanistan won, it’s how they won — humiliating the Kiwis in a 84-run obliteration at Guyana National Stadium.

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While Afghanistan are a rising power in T20 cricket, sporting arguably the world’s best bowler in Rashid Khan and talent who have impressed in tournaments as guns for hire, the team was given every shot of defeating New Zealand in the match.

However, no one was expecting this.

Set a challenging 160 for victory, the Black Caps crashed to 75 all out off 15.2 overs.

It was a record-breaking win for a variety of reasons with New Zealand in World Cups, conceding their first loss against a team outside the first-eight full member nations in tournament play, their second lowest total during events and fourth lowest in all T20s, and their biggest ever loss while chasing in a men’s T20 World Cup.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the star of the day. Photo: Prime Video

Also, Rashid broke the record for the best bowling figures by a captain in a World Cup, taking 4/17.

Afghan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the way with the bat, belting 80 off 56 balls including five fours and five sixes, posting 103 for the first wicket with Ibrahim Zadran (44) by the 15th over.

Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi then followed his five-wicket opening match demolition of Uganda with the first three wickets of the New Zealand innings before coming back to claim a fourth to end the match and complete figures of 4/17 off 3.2 overs.

“We’ve been waiting for this moment for about three years,” Gurbaz said after a well-deserved man of the match award.

“We have the trust and belief that we can beat any team in this competition on this type or surface. At the start of the innings our target was around 130-140 and we played our part in getting there, but credit must go to the bowlers as well.

“To do this against a team like New Zealand, it’s unbelievable”.

Social media were blown away by the one-sidedness of the wild result.

Former New Zealand white-ball representative Mitchell McClenaghan posted: “How do I report a murder in Guyana?”

Fellow ex-NZ star Scott Styris wrote: “Most players sat on the bench in the IPL, and NZ decided against any practice matches in the Lead up. Miles behind what is needed and Afghanistan barely broke a sweat in their deserved win.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: “It’s Shouldn’t surprise anyone when Afghanistan play like this . they have outstanding T20 players & the best spin bowler in the world in @rashidkhan_19.”

Afghanistan player Mohammad Nabi called it a “Historic moment for Afghanistan!

“Beating New Zealand in T20Is for the first time and that too with a commanding margin. Kudos to the team members and congrats to all the compatriots & cricket fans!”

Rashid Khan tore NZ's heart out. Photo: Prime Video

It was a dark day for New Zealand. Photo: Amazon Prime

Ex-Pakistan cricketer Saeed Anwar wrote: “Afghanistan has been playing the best cricket in the last few major tournaments, of course if they beat any big teams now, we can’t call it upsets, they have quality batsmen and quality bowlers, Which they have been better and better day by day. Congratulations Afghanistan to beat New Zealand well played.”

Indian commentary star Harsha Bhogle added: “How good have Afghanistan been! Overjoyed for them. They were a bowling side early on, still one of the better ones in this tournament, but now their batters are giving them the runs. They are doing many things right.”

Australian cricket great Mark Waugh called Afghanistan a “Huge threat in this tournament. One of the top picks in my book.”

Another fan said: “This isn’t choking. This isn’t bottling. This is even worse from New Zealand.”

New Zealand’s capitulation and obvious rustiness leaves the 2021 beaten finalists with a tough challenge ahead, starting against hosts West Indies in at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad next Wednesday.

“This just wasn’t good enough in terms of starting a tournament. It’s very frustrating,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

“We have to move on quickly from this because the matches now come thick and fast for us. Yes, we have to learn from so much that went wrong without over-analysing, but we have to turn it around as quickly as we can.”

Kane Williamson was one of Khan's victims. Photo: Prime Video

Williamson’s gloomy demeanour was obviously in stark contrast to his Afghanistan counterpart Rashid, who put the result in perspective.

“It is one of the greatest performances for us in T20’s against a big team like New Zealand,” he said.

“And it was great team effort, from the opening stand between Gurbaz and Ibrahim to the bowlers to the effort in the field from everyone. It’s a great feeling to be leading this side.”

His own efforts with the ball were impressive but the captain preferred to focus on the impact of Farooqi, who has now taken nine wickets in his first two matches at this World Cup and had the perfect start against the Black Caps, bowling Finn Allen comprehensively with the first ball of the New Zealand innings.

“He is a very skilful bowler, but there’s still lots of areas to improve,” Rashid cautioned. “Once he understands how skilful he really is he will be very dangerous in the future.”

With AFP

Originally published as ‘How do I report a murder?’: Afghanistan blow cricket world away in New Zealand humiliation