February 22, 2026 12:11 am (IST)
NZ beat Afghanistan by 4 wickets
Napier, Mar 8 (IBNS): New Zealand maintained the top position on the Pool A as they defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in a World Cup match here on Sunday.
Experienced New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori took four wickets while Trent Boult took three to bowl out the Asian side for 186 runs in 47. 4 overs and the co-hosts then reached the target of 188 runs by losing four wickets in 37. 4 overs to register their fifth straight victory in the tournament.
Vettori used all his experiences to reduce Afghanistan to 6-59.
Samiullah Shenwari (54) and Najibullah Zadran (56) stabilized the innings and helped the Afghanistan side post 186 runs on the scorecard.
Brendon McCullum again gave New Zealand as strong start by posting 19-ball 42, hitting sic boundaries and a six while Martin Guptill remained the top scorer with his 57.
It seemed that Guptill will help New Zealand reach the target but his run out delayed things and Ross Taylor (24*) and Corey Anderson (7*) made it to 188 runs with 13.5 overs to spare.
Afghanistan 186 all out in 47.4 overs (S Shenwari 54, N Zadran56; D Vettori 4-18)
New Zealand 188 runs for four in 36.1 overs (M Guptill 57, B McCullum 42; S Zadran 1-45, M Nabi 1-39)
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