Afghanistan beat PNG to qualify for the World Cup second round

Afghanistan have booked their ticket in the tournament's next stage, staying unbeaten against Papua New Guinea at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Afghanistan have charged into the next phase of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, taking care of Group C rivals Papua New Guinea. The result officially ends contender New Zealand's hopes of progressing past the group stage.

The Afghans have moved to three from three in the Caribbean, further signalling their status as one of the tournament's genuine contenders.

They were made to do things differently this time around, winning the toss and sending in their opponents, after batting first in both previous World Cup encounters. And that decision was put to the test, as PNG looked to cause major Group C disruption with intent running between the wickets.

They hurried to 10/0 in as many balls, but the more fancied outfit took control when Assad Vala was caught casually out of his crease. It was Fazalhaq Farooqi that affected the run out and his impact quickly translated to the ball, picking up back-to-back wickets to commence the next over.

Naveen-ul-Haq let results do the talking in the Powerplay as well, taking a pair of wickets that included the crucial scalp of Tony Ura (11 off 18).

PNG was 30/5 at the six over mark.

Chad Soper and Kipling Doriga went about rebuilding the Barramundis’ total towards something defendable, but things went from bad to worse just before drinks. The pair had a moment of miscommunication, leading to the second run out of the innings … and it wasn’t to be the last.

To start the 13th over, Norman Vanua suffered a cruel blow of misfortune, scampering through for a quick single. As he approached the crease, the corner of his bat dug into the pitch – he, like Soper, was caught short.

Afghanistan displayed a ruthlessness in the field that generates even more noise as they build to the second round of World Cup qualification. They tried seven bowlers, because why not, suffocating Papua New Guinea to a total of just 95 – all out on the second-last ball with the fourth run out of the innings.

PNG’s six run outs at the tournament is the most of any team – a critical moment of learning for the Barramundis.

Farooqi finished with 16/3 off his four overs, continuing his scintillating breakout tournament for the Afghans. He was named Player of the Match for his all-round efforts in the first innings.

PNG wasn’t about to give up without a fight, removing both Afghan openers inside the first three overs.

They made the going tough for the Group C heavyweights, creating a couple more half-chances, daring to believe. Afghanistan finished the Powerplay 39/2, as their plan to end things quickly underwent some minor recalibration.

Despite another wicket in the ninth over, Afghanistan ground their way closer to victory, led by Gulbaden Naib. They made it to 59/3 at the midpoint of the innings, still comfortably in front of a run-a-ball requirement.

Naib put the foot down after drinks, finding the boundary another three times, which included a match-sealing six straight back over the bowler’s head. He finished at 49* off 36 balls to top-score for Afghanistan, who completed the chase 101/3 at the start of the 16th over.

They’ll play fellow qualifiers West Indies in a tune-up fixture on June 18, having both secured tickets to the Super 8 stage.