Introduction
New Zealand bowlers put on a dominant performance to bowl Afghanistan out for 162 in 38.1 overs in the 17th match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup on October 19, 2023, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Trent Boult and Matt Henry took three wickets each, and Mitch Santner took a hat-trick in the final over of the innings.
New Zealand’s Bowling Masterclass
New Zealand’s bowlers were in excellent form from the start of the match. Then, they bowled tight lines and lengths, and they took wickets at regular intervals. Also, Trent Boult and Matt Henry took three wickets each, and Mitch Santner took a hat-trick in the final over of the innings.
New Zealand’s stellar bowling performance
Furthermore, New Zealand’s bowlers were in excellent form from the start of the match. So, they bowled tight lines and lengths, and they took wickets at regular intervals. Boult and Henry struck early to remove Afghanistan’s openers, and Santner then took over with his spin.
Moreover, Santner bowled beautifully, and he was rewarded with a hat-trick in the final over of the innings. He dismissed the last three Afghan batsmen in successive deliveries to complete his hat-trick.
Afghanistan’s batting struggles
Afghanistan’s batsmen struggled to cope with the New Zealand bowlers. They were never able to build a partnership, and they were eventually bowled out for just 162.
Only two Afghan batsmen, Shahidi and Najibullah Zadran, scored over 50 runs. Shahidi was dismissed for 66, while Zadran was dismissed for 59.
Santner’s Hat-Trick
Santner’s hat-trick was the highlight of New Zealand’s bowling performance. He dismissed Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Naveen-ul-Haq in the final over of the innings to complete his hat-trick.
Santner’s hat-trick is only the third in Cricket World Cup history, and it is a testament to his skill and ability.
Key bowling spells
Trent Boult and Matt Henry were the stars of the New Zealand bowling attack. Boult took three early wickets to set the tone for the innings, and Henry took three wickets in the middle overs to break the partnership between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rashid Khan.
Mitch Santner’s hat-trick in the final over of the innings was a fitting end to a superb bowling performance by New Zealand.
Conclusion
New Zealand’s bowlers put on a masterclass to bowl Afghanistan out for 162. Boult, Henry, and Santner were all outstanding, and they took 10 wickets between them. Afghanistan’s batsmen struggled to cope with the New Zealand bowlers, and they were never able to build a partnership.
New Zealand’s victory over Afghanistan was a comprehensive one, and it showed why they are one of the favorites to win the World Cup. They have a strong batting lineup, and their bowling attack is one of the best in the world.