Cricket World Cup: India are currently at number 2 in the points table.© AFP
Tom Latham-led New Zealand reasserted its authority at the 2023 Cricket World Cup with a 149-run win over Afghanistan. Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan came into the match on the back of a stunning win over defending champions England. A lot was expected of them, but they failed to score against New Zealand. New Zealand, boosted by half-centuries from Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips and Will Young, scored 288/6. In response, Afghanistan could only manage 139 in 34.4 overs. New Zealand have looked a very balanced side and will next take on India in their fifth match of the Cricket World Cup.
With the win, New Zealand displaced India as number 1 in the Cricket World Cup points table. New Zealand now has four wins in four games and eight points. Their NRR is +1.923. India are in second place with six points from three matches (NRR +1.821). They have also won all their matches so far. South Africa (4 points, 3 matches, NRR +1.385) and Pakistan (4 points, 3 matches, NRR -0.137) are the other two teams in the top four.
Afghanistan is currently ninth in the points table with two points from four matches (NRR -1,250).
A determined New Zealand brushed aside Afghanistan by 149 runs to record their fourth consecutive World Cup victory on Wednesday. Based on the fifties of Will Young (54), Tom Latham (68) and Glenn Phillips (71), Kiwis made 288 for 6 and then defeated Afghanistan for 139 in just 34.4 overs.
Afghanistan, who had beaten champions England, could not repeat their heroics against organized New Zealand and only Rahmat Shah (36) offered a semblance of a fight.
Pacer Lockie Ferguson and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner took three wickets each.
Brief score: New Zealand: 288 for 6 in 50 overs (Will Young 54, Tom Latham 68, Glenn Phillips 71; Naveen-ul-Haq 2/48) defeated Afghanistan: 139 all out in 34.4 overs (Rahmat Shah 36; Lockie Ferguson 3/19, Mitchell Santner 3/39) with 149 runs.
With PTI inputs
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