Cricket is a game that brings people together, no matter where they’re from. In the 29th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, held on June 13, 2024, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, the Papua New Guinea National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard. It was a thrilling encounter, with Afghanistan emerging victorious by 7 wickets. Let’s dive into the details of this exciting match, breaking down the scorecard in a way that’s easy for everyone to understand, whether you’re a cricket newbie or a seasoned fan.
The Stage: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
The T20 World Cup is one of cricket’s biggest stages, where teams from around the globe compete in the fast-paced, action-packed T20 format. This particular match was part of Group C, and both teams were eager to make their mark. Afghanistan, known for their strong bowling attack and dynamic batting, were the favorites, while PNG, an associate nation, aimed to showcase their growing cricketing talent.
The match was played under lights, starting at 6:00 AM IST on June 14, 2024 (local time: June 13, evening). Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that set the tone for the game. Let’s break down what happened, starting with PNG’s innings, followed by Afghanistan’s chase, and then a detailed look at the scorecard.
Papua New Guinea’s Innings: A Tough Day at the Office
PNG’s batting lineup faced a formidable Afghan bowling attack, led by the fiery Fazalhaq Farooqi. Batting first, PNG struggled to find their footing, managing to post a total of 95 runs in 19.5 overs at a run rate of 4.78. Here’s how their innings unfolded:
Early Wickets and a Shaky Start
PNG’s openers, Tony Ura and captain Assad Vala, walked out with high hopes. However, Afghanistan’s bowlers struck early. Vala was run out for just 3 runs off 2 balls in the 1.5th over, thanks to a sharp throw from Fazalhaq Farooqi and quick work by wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Things went from bad to worse as Lega Siaka and Sese Bau fell in quick succession to Farooqi in the 2.1st and 2.2nd overs, both for ducks. Siaka edged a ball to Gurbaz, and Bau followed suit, leaving PNG reeling at 12/3.
Hiri Hiri didn’t last long either, bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq for 1 run in the 3.1st over. By the 5.4th over, Tony Ura, who had shown some resistance with 11 runs off 18 balls, was also bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq. At 30/5, PNG were in deep trouble.
A Glimmer of Hope
Kiplin Doriga, the wicketkeeper-batsman, provided some stability with a fighting 27 runs off 32 balls, including two boundaries. He, along with Chad Soper (9 off 26), tried to rebuild the innings, but Soper was run out in the 9.4th over. Norman Vanua couldn’t get going, falling for a 7-ball duck in the 12.1st over, again via a run-out.
Alei Nao chipped in with a useful 13 runs off 19 balls, hitting two fours, and formed a small partnership with Doriga. However, Doriga’s gritty knock ended in the 17.5th over when he was trapped lbw by Noor Ahmad for 27. Nao fell soon after in the 18.2nd over, caught off Farooqi’s bowling. The innings wrapped up in the 19.5th over when Semo Kamea was run out for 2, leaving John Kariko not out on 4.
Afghanistan’s Bowling: Fazalhaq Farooqi Shines
Afghanistan’s bowlers were relentless. Fazalhaq Farooqi was the star, finishing with figures of 3/16 in 4 overs, earning him the Player of the Match award. His ability to swing the ball and pick up crucial wickets early on set the tone. Naveen-ul-Haq supported with 2/4 in 2.5 overs, while Noor Ahmad took 1/13 in his 4 overs. Rashid Khan, the Afghan captain, bowled tightly with 0/25 in 4 overs, and the team’s fielding was sharp, resulting in four run-outs.
PNG’s total of 95 was boosted by 25 extras (12 leg byes and 13 wides), but it was a modest target on a pitch that offered some assistance to bowlers but was still chaseable.
Afghanistan’s Chase: Gulbadin Naib Leads the Way
Chasing 96 runs in 20 overs, Afghanistan approached the task with confidence. Their batting lineup, featuring the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib, was more than capable of getting the job done. They reached the target in just 15.1 overs, finishing at 101/3 with a run rate of 6.66.
Early Hiccups
Afghanistan’s chase wasn’t without its challenges. Opener Ibrahim Zadran was dismissed for a 7-ball duck in the 1.4th over, bowled by Semo Kamea. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who looked dangerous with 11 runs off 7 balls (including a four and a six), fell to Alei Nao in the 2.5th over. At 22/2, PNG had a glimmer of hope.
Naib and Nabi Seal the Deal
Gulbadin Naib took charge, playing an unbeaten knock of 49 runs off 36 balls, which included 4 fours and 2 sixes. His aggressive yet composed batting ensured Afghanistan stayed on track. Azmatullah Omarzai contributed 13 runs off 18 balls before being bowled by Norman Vanua in the 8.4th over, leaving Afghanistan at 55/3.
Mohammad Nabi joined Naib and played a steady supporting role, remaining not out on 16 runs off 23 balls with one four. Their unbroken 46-run partnership for the fourth wicket guided Afghanistan to victory. The winning moment came in the 15.1st over when Naib smashed a six off Chad Soper, finishing the chase with 29 balls to spare.
PNG’s Bowling Effort
PNG’s bowlers tried hard but couldn’t contain Afghanistan’s batsmen. Alei Nao was the pick of the bowlers with 1/26 in 4 overs, while Semo Kamea and Norman Vanua each took a wicket. Chad Soper and John Kariko bowled economically but couldn’t break through. The Afghan batsmen capitalized on loose deliveries, and PNG’s fielding couldn’t produce the breakthroughs needed to defend their low total.
The Papua New Guinea National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: A Complete Breakdown
Below is the detailed Papua New Guinea National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, capturing every key moment of the match.
|
Papua New Guinea Innings (20 overs maximum) |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tony Ura |
11 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 61.11 |
b Naveen-ul-Haq |
|
Assad Vala (c) |
3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 150.00 |
run out (Fazalhaq Farooqi/†Rahmanullah Gurbaz) |
|
Lega Siaka |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
c †Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Fazalhaq Farooqi |
|
Sese Bau |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
c †Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Fazalhaq Farooqi |
|
Hiri Hiri |
1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
b Naveen-ul-Haq |
|
Chad Soper |
9 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 34.61 |
run out (Noor Ahmad/Rashid Khan) |
|
Kiplin Doriga † |
27 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 84.37 |
lbw b Noor Ahmad |
|
Norman Vanua |
0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
run out (Rashid Khan) |
|
Alei Nao |
13 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 68.42 |
c Rashid Khan b Fazalhaq Farooqi |
|
John Kariko |
4* | 7 | 1 | 0 | 57.14 |
not out |
|
Semo Kamea |
2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 |
run out (†Rahmanullah Gurbaz) |
|
Extras (lb 12, w 13) |
25 | |||||
|
Total (19.5 overs, RR: 4.78) |
95 |
|
Afghanistan Bowling |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
4 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 4.00 |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 9.00 |
|
Naveen-ul-Haq |
2.5 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1.41 |
|
Rashid Khan |
4 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 6.25 |
|
Noor Ahmad |
4 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 3.25 |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2.50 |
|
Karim Janat |
2 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 5.00 |
|
Afghanistan Innings (Target: 96 in 20 overs) |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rahmanullah Gurbaz † |
11 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 157.14 |
b Alei Nao |
|
Ibrahim Zadran |
0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
b Semo Kamea |
|
Gulbadin Naib |
49* | 36 | 4 | 2 | 136.11 |
not out |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
13 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 72.22 |
b Norman Vanua |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
16* | 23 | 1 | 0 | 69.56 |
not out |
|
Extras (lb 7, w 5) |
12 | |||||
|
Total (15.1 overs, RR: 6.66) |
101/3 |
|
Papua New Guinea Bowling |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alei Nao |
4 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 6.50 |
|
Semo Kamea |
3 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 5.33 |
|
Chad Soper |
2.1 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 8.77 |
|
Norman Vanua |
3 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 6.00 |
|
John Kariko |
3 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 5.00 |
Key Moments and Standout Performances
-
Fazalhaq Farooqi’s Brilliance: Farooqi’s 3/16, including the early dismissals of Siaka, Bau, and Nao, earned him the Player of the Match award. His swing and accuracy were too much for PNG’s top order.
-
Gulbadin Naib’s Match-Winning Knock: Naib’s unbeaten 49 was the backbone of Afghanistan’s chase, blending aggression with composure to ensure a smooth victory.
-
Kiplin Doriga’s Resistance: Doriga’s 27 was PNG’s highest score, showing resilience on a tough day for his team.
-
Run-Outs Galore: Afghanistan’s sharp fielding led to four run-outs, disrupting PNG’s batting momentum.
What This Match Meant for Papua New Guinea National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Both Teams
For Afghanistan, this 7-wicket win was a statement of intent. It secured their place in the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup 2024, boosting their net run rate and confidence. They showed why they’re a force to be reckoned with, especially with their bowling attack.
For PNG, the match was a learning experience. As an associate nation, they’re still building their cricketing pedigree. Facing a strong side like Afghanistan gave them valuable exposure, and players like Doriga and Nao showed they can compete at this level.
Why This Match Matters to Fans
This game was more than just a scorecard—it was a clash of cricketing cultures. Afghanistan’s rise as a cricketing nation is inspiring, with players like Farooqi and Naib leading the charge. PNG, meanwhile, represents the spirit of associate nations, fighting to make their mark. For fans, it’s a reminder of how cricket unites diverse nations, creating stories of triumph and perseverance.
Conclusion
The Papua New Guinea National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard in the 2024 T20 World Cup was a showcase of skill, strategy, and determination. Afghanistan’s clinical performance, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi’s bowling and Gulbadin Naib’s batting, secured a comfortable victory. PNG fought hard, with Kiplin Doriga’s gritty knock standing out, but they couldn’t match Afghanistan’s firepower. The scorecard tells the story of a one-sided contest, but it also highlights the potential of both teams. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or just starting to love the game, this match was a perfect example of why T20 cricket is so exciting.
