8th March, 2015: New Zealand complete convincing win
The first-ever World Cup match between Afghanistan and New Zealand turned out to be a rather one-sided affair. Afghanistan, who elected to bat first at McLean Park, never really got underway and soon found themselves in a rut at 59 for 6. Samiullah Shenwari’s (54 off 110 balls) and Najibullah Zadran’s (56 off 56 balls) half-centuries prevented the team from collapsing with a single-digit score. While the former was content to play the role of anchor, the latter initiated a swift counterattack during their 86-run seventh wicket partnership. Daniel Vettori, bowling for the hosts, spun a web around the Afghanistan batting order, returning figures of 4 for 18 from 10 overs.
Set a target of 187, Brendon McCullum got off to a quick start, scoring 42 off 19 balls. Martin Guptill then maintained the innings with a score of 57, while Kane Williamson scored 33. The hosts ultimately reached the target in the 37th over, maintaining their unblemished streak.
June 8, 2019: Neesham, Ferguson spells thrash Afghanistan in Taunton
The outstanding bowling performances of James Neesham and Lockie Ferguson helped New Zealand defeat Afghanistan by seven wickets in Taunton. Afghanistan’s opening partnership of 66 was remarkable after the Kiwis put them into bat. However, the introduction of James Neesham changed the game in favour of New Zealand. The all-rounder was relentless as he harassed the Afghanistan batsmen and took five wickets to give New Zealand the lead. Afghanistan was restricted to a low total of 172 thanks to Ferguson’s crucial spell in which he took four wickets. Despite losing Guptill on the first delivery of the run chase, captain Kane Williamson and veteran Ross Taylor steadied the ship with an 89-run third-wicket partnership. Taylor was dismissed for 48, but Williamson (79*) remained unblemished and led his team to victory in the 33rd over with a captain’s knock. New Zealand’s performance was indeed clinical in every respect.
