The promise was always there and Afghanistan delivered it.

A fine batting performance was followed up by an even better bowling display as the Afghans, a steadily rising force in white-ball cricket, stunned New Zealand, the 2021 T20 World Cup runners-up, by 84 runs on Saturday.

Besides Afghanistan and New Zealand, Group C also features co-hosts the West Indies. The win, Afghanistan’s second of the tournament, will therefore go a long way in helping them progress to the Super Eight stage.

The stars of the Afghan win were openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, and then left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi and spinner and captain Rashid Khan.

Chasing a tricky 160 at the Providence Stadium here, New Zealand were shot out for a lowly 75 in an innings that lasted a mere 15.2 overs with only Glenn Phillips (18) and Matt Henry (12) managing double-digit scores.

The decision to bowl after winning the toss backfired on the Black Caps as the Afghan openers made merry. Gurbaz’s 56-ball 80 and Zadran’s 44 off 41 helped Afghanistan post a reasonably good total of 159/6 in 20 overs.

Farooqi, who snared five wickets for nine runs against Uganda, returned figures of 4/17 off his 3.2 overs. Rashid was also lethal as he collected the prized scalp of Kane Williamson (9 off 13) with his first ball. He finished overall figures of 4/17 off his four overs.

“One of the greatest performances from us in T20I cricket against a big team,” said Afghan skipper Rashid.

Williamson was candid
in his assessment. “Incredibly frustrating performance.
No excuses.”

Brief scores: Afghanistan 159/6 in 20 ovs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 80, Ibrahim Zadran 44; Trent Boult 2/22). NZ 75 in 15.2 ovs (Fazalhaq Farooqi 4/17, Rashid Khan 4/17). Afghanistan won by 84 runs.