The 14th match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 took place between Afghanistan and New Zealand at Providence Stadium in Guyana. New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl. Put into bat first, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran got off to a flying start.

However, New Zealand bowlers had a tough time as it didn’t go according to their plans. They found it tough against an in-form opening pair where Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz took on the opposition bowlers with their smashing batting. While Gurbaz started the onslaught with the boundary in the very first over, Zadran joined the party in the second over and hit back-to-back boundaries to Matt Henry.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran added a record partnership

The 22-year-old was aggressive since the beginning, taking on the experienced New Zealand bowling attack with 5 boundaries and as many sixes as well. On the other hand, Zadran smashed 2 fours and as many sixes as well.

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Meanwhile, Gurbaz reached his fifty in 40 deliveries whereas Zadran couldn’t score another fifty. Their swashbuckling batting helped them to add a record 103 runs for the opening wicket before Zadran got out for 44. However, by then they registered a record as well. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran became the first opening pair with consecutive century partnerships at the men’s T20 World Cup as well.

Afghanistan’s middle-order failed to step up

However, soon after their century stand, the middle order failed again. Azmatullah came to bat at no. 3 and scored a quick 22 off 13 with a four and 2 sixes. However, Matt Henry who drew the first blood for New Zealand and dismissed Ibrahim Zadran, also cleaned up Azmatullah. Experienced duo – Nabi and Rashid Khan failed to contribute and got out for single-digit scores.

Trent Boult then removed dangerous-looking Gurbaz for 80 runs. Meanwhile, middle-orders gave away their wickets too easily without scoring much as Afghanistan could not use the flying start. Trent Boult and Matt Henry brought back New Zealand in the match and the duo finished with two wickets each, respectively, restricting Afghanistan to a modest total of 159/6 in 20 overs.