The Tom Latham-led New Zealand as soon as once more stamped their authority within the Cricket World Cup 2023 with a 149-run win over Afghanistan. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan got here into the match after a surprising win over defending champions England. Much was anticipated of them however in opposition to New Zealand, they failed to fireplace. New Zealand, boosted by half-centuries by Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips and Will Young, scored 288/6. In reply, Afghanistan may handle solely 139 in 34.4 overs. New Zealand have appeared a really balanced facet and subsequent face India of their fifth match of the Cricket World Cup.

With the win, New Zealand displaced India because the No. 1 facet within the Cricket World Cup factors desk. New Zealand, now have 4 wins in 4 matches, and have eight factors. Their NRR is +1.923. India are on the second spot with six factors from three matches (NRR +1.821). They even have gained all their matches to this point. South Africa (4 factors, 3 matches, NRR +1.385) and Pakistan (4 factors, 3 matches, NRR -0.137) are the opposite two crew within the prime 4.

Afghanistan are at the moment ninth within the factors desk with two factors from 4 matches (NRR -1.250).  

A decided New Zealand brushed apart Afghanistan by 149 runs to file their fourth consecutive win on the World Cup on Wednesday. Riding on fifties by Will Young (54), Tom Latham (68) and Glenn Phillips (71), Kiwis made 288 for six after which bowled out Afghanistan for 139 in simply 34.4 overs.

Afghanistan, who had defeated champions England, couldn’t repeat the heroics in opposition to an organised New Zealand and solely Rahmat Shah (36) supplied a semblance of battle.

Pacer Lockie Ferguson and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner took three wickets every.

Brief rating: New Zealand: 288 for six in 50 overs (Will Young 54, Tom Latham 68, Glenn Phillips 71; Naveen-ul-Haq 2/48) beat Afghanistan: 139 all out in 34.4 overs (Rahmat Shah 36; Lockie Ferguson 3/19, Mitchell Santner 3/39) by 149 runs.

With PTI inputs