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That was a dominating performance from New Zealand and they have won four out of four and looking in top form. However their next challenge is India where they have to find their best game to beat the hosts. Afghanistan will be very disappointed with their performance especially after the high of Delhi. They will have a lot to answer and Jonathan Trott might have a stern word with his boys. The World Cup carnival continues with hosts India slated to square off against Bangladesh. Do join us then but for now this is myself (Arya Sekhar Chakraborty) signing off also on behalf of my good friend and fellow commentator Pragadeesh. Goodnight!
It was an extraordinary catch from Mitchell Santer to dismiss Hashmatullah Shahidi. It will definitely rank as one of the best catches and could well up as the best catch of the tournament. Before signing off, there's a watch piece of that catch for all you. Switch 👇
Tom Latham (New Zealand captain): Yeah it's a pleasing start. Another great performance. We were put under pressure but the way we came back at the back end was exceptional. The bowlers were exceptional upfront and then finished it off rather quickly. At that time we had lost a wicket and thought of building a partnership together. There were a few chances here and there and we managed to capitalise on the partnership. Genn played a fantastic innings and took the pressure off me. Batting is all about partnerships and that worked there. The first 10 overs with the seamers and then Mitch Santner keeping and bowling so well. On the back of some good performance, again another big challenge coming up. India then Australia. We are playing good cricket so we are confident.
Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan captain): Yeah, really disappointed at this level you have to take those catches. The game was going good for us but the catches let us down. The last 6 overs, it was a lot of runs scored by the New Zealand batters. The set batters were there and we dropped catches so we couldn't stop them. Yeah, the toss I can say you cant judge properly the pitch. The first innings also the pitch was slow. Still I am backing my words hat we bowled well but we didn't field well which hurt us. Tonight's game will hurt us but next game is Pakistan and we have to think of improving and come back stronger in the game.
Glenn Phillips (Player of the Match) - The spinners are incredibly strong and losing a couple of wickets was hard. Our top order was good but the middle order got tested and that's good. The pitch is always dusty in Chennai and we understood what we possibly could get in the last 10 overs., We took more time and then try to combat their best bowlers. 250 would've been a par total and we are pleased to get more. Credit to Chapman and Santner for finishing the innings they did. The mentality of the team is good. We understand the role and the experience play an important part
That was a capitulation of some prominence and Afghanistan will be bitterly disappointed with their performance after such a dominating showing against England. Firstly, they have themselves to blame for deciding to change their winning template and rather chase on this tricky Chennai surface. The second half of the innings saw the Kiwis spinners getting much more turn than the Afghan spinners and in the end, it summed up the overall display by Afghanistan.
They got off to a decent start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran looking in good touch but both openers fell at quick junctures as Matt Henry and Trent Boult accounted for the two top order batters. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi started cautiously and the skipper eventually departed to a stunning catch by Mitchell Santner. The required rate kept climbing as there was no intent being shown by Rahmat and Azmatullah Omarzai.
When they did try to take the attack, both batters fell at important junctures of the game and from there on, it was no way back for the Afghans. Nabi was castled by a pearler from Santner and from there on it was just a matter of minutes as the New Zealand bowlers wiped out the Afghan tail. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman smashed a couple of lusty blows and was dismissed in the same over by Lockie Ferguson. It was Santner who fittingly bagged the last two wickets to hand New Zealand a massive victory by 149 runs.
Santner picks up a triple late in the innings as Afghanistan has been bowled out for just 139. Santner was outstanding today with the ball and took an exceptional catch. New Zealand were behind the eight ball in their batting innings but wrestled the momentum back and has handed Afghanistan a heavy defeat which will take some days to recover from. A splendid bowling effort and New Zealand go to the top of the points table and this comprehensive victory will further bolster their net run rate.
34.4 Mitchell Santner to Fazalhaq Farooqi, GONE! GAME.SET.MATCH! Afghanistan were brilliant against England but they don't have any answers against this fiery New Zealand outfit. Tossed up to lure the batter forward, Farooqi tries to drive and the ball turns away to kiss the outside edge. Mitchell is placed at first slip and he makes no mistake.
Fazalhaq Farooqi c Daryl Mitchell b Mitchell Santner 0 (2b, 0x4, 0x6)
34.3 Mitchell Santner to Fazalhaq Farooqi, quicker on a good length angling in, pushed down to cover
Video
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MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
![[Watch] Mitchell Santner takes a one-handed stunner to get rid of Hashmatullah Shahidi in NZ vs AFG 2023 World Cup clash](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/10/5c016-16976410575670-1920.jpg?w=700)
