The timeline of Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs. New Zealand National Cricket Team is very engrossing. They are having yielded a few moments to cherish, but a very young rivalry. As Afghanistan continues its boom in international cricket. This games spelled against well-known outfits like New Zealand turn out to be must-watch games. This goes into great detail with important events, acts, and games that have helped in the molding of this novel competition. They are giving the cricket fan a real full picture. In this article we will explore about Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline : Overview
A game with New Zealand and Afghanistan in cricket history is a new and throbbing chapter. Where once, Afghanistan was once an outsider but soon came to be bullet to high profile. It is the country whose growth and promise are proven with every game they play against any experience team. These sides play their first official One Day International (ODI) during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. This was a giant step for Afghanistan.
Here’s the table with statistics up to the New Zealand score:
| Match | Date | Format | Venue | Afghanistan Score | New Zealand Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | March 8, 2015 | ODI | Napier | 186 all out | 188/4 |
| 2nd ODI | June 8, 2019 | ODI | Taunton | 172 all out | 173/3 |
| 1st T20I | March 26, 2016 | T20I | Nagpur | 172/6 | 174/3 |
| 3rd ODI | November 3, 2023 | ODI | Chennai | 283/7 | 284/5 |
| 2nd T20I | October 15, 2021 | T20I | Sharjah | 127/6 | 128/2 |
Early Encounters: The Skyrocketing Rise of Afghanistan
The two matches of Afghanistan against New Zealand were significant as they showed what Afghanistan could do in the face of more experienced cricketing teams. The very first ODI match the Afghanistan National Cricket Team played was against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. As you have seen at Napier on March 8, 2015, within the ICC Cricket World Cup series. Being an Associate member state of Afghanistan did not take much time to be up against the likes of New Zealand. New Zealand posted a defended 188/4, courtesy a neat 57-run good hit by Martin Guptill. Afghanistan bat resolutely but was bowl out for 186. Daniel Vettori was key as he returned 4 wickets for just 18 runs.
World Cup Clashes: Overview of Rivalry
The ICC Cricket World Cup has been the place where these two teams have played their most important matches. As it was already mentioned, their first ODI match took place at the 2015 World Cup. However, the 2019 World Cup added something new to this schedule. New Zealand and Afghanistan fought again on June 8, 2019, in Taunton. Afghanistan played first by scoring 172 runs in 41.1 overs. Hashmatullah Shahidi top-scored with 59 runs. New Zealand reached the target quite comfortably with the help of Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 79, majorly scoring in the win by 7 wickets. This game shows how much better of a side Afghanistan is at the moment and how they can compete against established sides like New Zealand.
The rivalries of T20 International
These two teams also played some thrilling games against each other in T20 International (T20I) style. Their first T20I match was on 26th March 2016 at Nagpur, during the ICC T20 World Cup of 2016. Afghanistan got the chance to bat first and piled up quite a competitive score of 172/6. Mohammad Shahzad got 47 runs and Asghar Stanikzai kept 49 added valuably. New Zealand, playing their batsmen along the line, reached the target in 18.1 overs, with a blistering 80 by Martin Guptill off just 48 balls sealing the game. The intensity and plucky energies attributed to this T20 style by these two heavyweights were definitely lived up to in this game.
Bilateral Series
The possibility of a two team series between the Afghanistan National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team keeps fans very excited, although thus far this has yet to dot the timeline. In a paired game, these teams could fight in more than one style, trying to outdo each other. Afghanistan would make a really hard opponent for New Zealand since they are good in the facing of limited overs as well as Test.
Match-winning performances: Players in the limelight
In fact, a lot of importance is being carried out by the players of both sides in the sets of games between Afghanistan and New Zealand. Martin Guptill has been one of the finest players for New Zealand, most particularly in the two formats: ODIs and T20s. Having scored runs consistently at the top of the order, he has provided New Zealand strong starts and game-winning assists. Kane Williamson has also been the claim to the cool, controlled hitting that has won New Zealand’s way in both wins over Afghanistan. Again, standing as a major player in this battle is the fact that when Mohammad Shahzad bats, he puts a lot of pressure on New Zealand’s bowlers by his bold style.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline: Most remarkable match
Though these teams have played very few games against each other, the ones that have been played were quite remarkable. The 2016 Nagpur World T20 game was an incredible one, full of runs and a great fightback. Afghanistan managed to get to 172/6, thereby setting a challenging target—New Zealand then overcame complicated things but actually made it exciting after chasing it in 18.1 overs. This match will be remembered for Martin Guptill’s 80 off 48 balls; that is to say, this game of the 2019 World Cup in Taunton will be further remembered as a marker of Afghanistan’s ability to play the best teams.
T20 World Cup 2024: Afghanistan’s Balanced Performance Overpowers New Zealand
Here are the match stats organized in a table format:
| Team | Score | Top Performers | Bowling Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 159/6 (20 overs) | – Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 80 (56 balls) | – Trent Boult: 2/22 (4 overs) |
| – Ibrahim Zadran: 44 (43 balls) | – Matt Henry: 2/37 (4 overs) | ||
| New Zealand | 75 all out (15.2 overs) | – Glenn Phillips: 18 | – Fazalhaq Farooqi: 4/17 (4 overs) |
| – Rashid Khan: 4/17 (3.2 overs) |
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | Providence, Guyana |
| Date | June 7, 2024 |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 84 runs |
| Player of the Match | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
- Afghanistan defeated New Zealand in the 14th Match of Group C in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, played at Providence on 7 June 2024, by 84 runs. Afghanistan got 159/6 after put to bat. It was aid by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 80 runs off 56 balls, the main push. Ibrahim Zadran added 44 runs to the score, and Afghanistan picked up in the second half of its innings after a slow start.
- New Zealand struggled to chase and in only 15.2 overs they were bowl out for 75. The best bowlers of Afghanistan were Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan. Both of them picked up 4 wickets and conceded 17 runs. The win enhanced the prospects of Afghanistan to qualify for Super Eight. It was their second successive victory.
Conclusion
Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline embodies how serious cricket is getting all over the world. Afghanistan is becoming more and more of a force to be reckon with, so their games versus New Zealand are now events which any fan of cricket will have to watch. With more games, possibly even a series between the two teams in the future, this rivalry is going to get even more interesting in the years to come.
FAQ’s
Ans. Afghan and New Zealand first match against each other was an ODI on Mar 8, 2015, at ICC Cricket World Cup.
Ans. As much as Afghanistan became competitive, so did the competition. Notable games have happened in the World Cup and T20 internationals.
Ans. Martin Guptill scored 80 runs off 48 balls in the 2016 T20 World Cup, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 80 runs off 56 balls in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Ans. For New Zealand, it has been Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson, whereas for Afghanistan, it has been Mohammad Shahzad and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Ans. The newest match was played on 7 June 2024 in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Afghanistan won by 84 runs against New Zealand.
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