Afghanistan flatter to deceive with lacklustre performance in the field
 |
Mitchell Santner’s catch of the tournament
|
October 18, 2023: Catches win matches
is an adage that’s been one of cricket’s oldest phrases. Afghanistan learnt the
hard way against the professional Kiwi side. After the World champion beating
performance, the expectations from the Hashmatullah led side was pretty high. They
didn’t disappoint in the first quarter of the match, having the NZ side reeling
at 110 for 4. This is where they let slip the match, primarily thanks to some poor
catching letting the duo of skipper Tom Latham and Player of the match Glenn
Phillips to capitalise on the largesse.Winning the toss and electing to field at Chennai seemed the
wise choice, considering the previous two encounters of the World Cup were won
by the team chasing. Afghanistan, however, had to chase a mountain, the target
of 289 was quite stiff in the face of some extremely disciplined Kiwi bowling.
The openers started briskly but both perished in quick succession to the near perfect
bowling of Matt Henry and Trent Boult. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi departed
soon to blinder of a catch by Santner, who plucked the ball out of thin air. Rahmat
Shah and Azmathullah Omarzai tried to revive the innings, putting up a half
century partnership, but the Afghans surrendered meekly soon for 139. Santner
and Lockie Fergusson were the pick of the bowlers picking three wickets a
piece.
Earlier, put into bat, New Zealand started well, despite the early
exit of in-form Devon Conway. Rachin Ravindra (32) and Will Young (54) took the
team to 109 in 20 overs. However, a mini collapse ensued with both falling,
along with Daryll Mitchell, for the addition of just 1 run. Afghanistan could’ve
tightened the screws if only they grabbed the chances that came their way.
Hasmath dropped two sitters, as the team let go five catches enabling a 143-run
partnership between Latham and Phillips. Both scored half centuries and some
late flurry of hitting by Mark Chapman ensured NZ was well placed at the end of
the first half.
If
Afghanistan have to prove that their win against England was no flash in the
pan performance, they need to improve a lot on their fielding. Now
table-toppers, New Zealand, next meet India on Sunday and they have to sort out
their fifth bowler option. Too much of persistence with Ravindra and Phillips
to complete the quota could prove costly against the hosts.
- Venkat,
Team Pure Cricket
------------------------------------------
Pics: Internet
No comments:
Post a Comment