Afghanistan will qualify for the Super 8 stage if they win this game Afghan players celebrating after taking a wicket against Papua New Guinea in this image from June 14, 2024.— X@ESPNCricInfo
Afghanistan's clinical bowling performance restricted Papua New Gunea to a mere total of 95 after winning the toss and inviting PNG to bat first on Friday at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad.
In the fourth over of their innings, PNG quickly collapsed to 17-4, drastically reducing their chances of achieving a competitive score.
Once again, pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, delivering impressive figures of 3-16 in four overs.
Wicketkeeper-batter Kiplin Doriga was the highest score for PNG with 27 runs in 32 balls.
A win today will guarantee Afghanistan's advancement to the Super 8 stage of the tournament.
Teams:
Papua New Guinea (Playing XI): Tony Ura, Assad Vala(c), Lega Siaka, Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri, Chad Soper, Kiplin Doriga(w), Norman Vanua, Alei Nao, John Kariko, Semo Kamea.
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.