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T20 WC Updates: Tim David departs; Australia 5 down

Sat, 08 June 2024

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23:59

Tim David departs; Australia 5 down

Australia 173-5 (17 Ovs) vs England | Scorecard

Livingstone is back, and David and Stoinis deal in singles initially, accumulating five runs. But the man in form, Stoinis, isn't done yet and slams a huge six to end the over. Eleven runs come off it. After 16 overs, Australia is 160-4.

Jordan returns to the attack. David welcomes him with a six! He then sends the ball back to the bowler, but it is dropped! Stoinis plays towards long-on for a single.

WICKET! Livingstone takes a stunning catch, and David departs for 11 off 8 balls.

Matthew Wade is the new batter and gets off the mark with a boundary as Archer couldnt stop the ball. Thirteen runs came off the over and a wicket. After 17 overs, Australia is 173-5.

23:48

Australia lose two quick wkts

Australia 149-4 (15 Ovs) vs England | Scorecard

Rashid is back into the attack. Stoinis sweeps for a single.

WICKET! Maxwell plays towards midwicket where Phil Salt makes no mistake. This double-whammy dents Australia's surge. Maxwell departs for 28 off 25 balls.

Tim David is the new batter and gets off the mark with a single. The next ball is called wide. Stoinis ends the over with a six! Nine runs and a wicket came off it. After 15 overs, Australia is 149-4.

23:44

Marsh departs; Australia 3 down

Australia 140-3 (14 Ovs) vs England | Scorecard

Jordan returns to the attack. Marsh plays towards the off side for a single. Maxwell gets a lifeline as Bairstow can't reach a catch, and he celebrates by hitting a six! A wide is called. Maxwell then times it well for a boundary. A wide yorker follows, and Maxwell gets a single. Another wide down the leg side is called. Marsh hammers a boundary to end the over. Eighteen runs come off it. After 13 overs, Australia is 136-2.

Livingstone is brought into the attack. Maxwell can't connect with the first ball and then flicks towards square for a single. They add two more singles. WICKET! An edge from Marsh, and Buttler makes no mistake, removing the bails before Marsh can get back into the crease.

A breakthrough for England! Marsh departs for 35 off 25 balls.

Stoinis is the new batter and gets off the mark with a single. Four runs and a wicket came off the over. After 14 overs, Australia is 140-3.

23:30

Marsh, Maxwell steady the ship

Australia 118-2 (12 Ovs) vs England | Scorecard

Archer returns to the attack, with Marsh and Maxwell playing cautiously. Marsh then slams a huge six and follows it with a single towards deep cover. Nine runs come off the over. After 11 overs, Australia is 111-2.

Wood is back into the attack. Marsh starts with a couple of runs and then cuts towards deep cover for a single. Maxwell slams a boundary before defending the rest of the over. Seven runs come off it. After 12 overs, Australia is 118-2.

23:22

100 comes up for Australia

Australia 102-2 (10 Ovs) vs England | Scorecard

Rashid continues, and Maxwell welcomes him with a boundary! This will boost Maxwell, who has been struggling with indifferent form. He then flicks towards point for a single. Marsh defends the next two deliveries before slamming a huge six! A single ends the over. Twelve runs came off it, and after 9 overs, Australia is 97-2.

Chris Jordan is brought into the attack. Marsh and Maxwell each get a single. Marsh flicks it for another single, bringing up 100 for Australia. Two more singles to end the over. Five runs came off it, and after 10 overs, Australia is 102-2.

23:09

Aus lose openers despite blazing start

Australia 85-2 (8 Ovs) vs England | Scorecard

Australia skipper Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell are the new batters post the powerplay. Rashid comes into the attack. Marsh gets off the mark with a single, followed by Maxwell who also takes a single to get off the mark. Marsh then slams a sweep through square for four runs! Two more runs come off the over. After 7 overs, Australia is 82-2.

Wood returns to the attack. An edge from Maxwell, but he is lucky to get a single. Marsh flicks towards midwicket for no run. Another dot ball follows. Marsh finds the gap and gets a couple of runs towards midwicket. He then sends the ball back to the bowler. Marsh flicks across, and Wood appeals, but the umpire is not interested and England decides not to review. Just 3 runs came off the over. After 8 overs, Australia is 85-2.

23:03

Australia lose openers despite blazing start

Australia 74-2 (6 Ovs) vs England | Scorecard

Archer continues, and Head defends the first two deliveries. A short ball comes next, and Head slams it for four runs! Archer follows up with an off-cutter, and it's gone! The stumps are out of the ground, and Head departs for 34 off 18 balls.

Glenn Maxwell is the next batter in, and he defends the last two deliveries of the over. Just four runs came off it along with a wicket. At the end of the powerplay, Australia has lost both their openers and stands at 74-2.

22:56

Moeen Ali ends Warner frenzy

Australia 70-1 (5 Ovs) vs England | Scorecard

Moeen Ali returns to the attack, and Head welcomes him with a boundary. Head follows it up with a huge six! He then punches the next delivery towards cover for a single. Warner steps ahead and defends the next ball. Warner then slams a boundary. WICKET! A crucial breakthrough for England as Moeen Ali strikes! Warner is bowled and departs after a blazing 39 off just 16 balls.

22:51

Warner, Head smash 50 in just 4 overs

Australia 55-0 (4 Ovs) vs England | Scorecard

Archer is brought into the attack. Warner and Head take it easy, exchanging singles. Warner then cuts towards midwicket for a couple. A delivery goes down the leg side, called wide. Warner adds two more runs, and a single closes the over. Eight runs came off it, and after 3 overs, Australia stands at 33-0.

Mark Wood is the new bowler. Warner greets him with back-to-back sixes. The first ball disappears out of the ground. A new ball is brought in, but the result is the same! Buttler takes his time adjusting the field. Warner defends the next delivery. Then, a full toss comes, and Warner sends it for another six! Hes on fire! A slower, shorter ball is swatted away for four runs! The over ends with a dot ball. Twenty-two runs came off it, and after 4 overs, Australia is 55-0.

22:43

Australia is off to a strong start

Australia 25-0 (2 Ovs) vs England | Scorecard

Warner and Head stride out to the crease, ready to face the challenge of Moeen Ali's opening over. Head cautiously defends the first ball, nudging a couple with the next. He plays a watchful game, blocking the next three deliveries. A single off the final ball brings them up to 3 runs for the first over.

Moeen is replaced by Will Jacks, and Head wastes no time in welcoming him with a flourish! Two boundaries in a row - the first a powerful cut over point for three, the second a superbly timed drive through the covers. Warner joins the party too, launching a towering six over the ropes! He follows it up with a single. Head keeps the momentum going with a flick to cover for a single.

Jacks endures a fiery baptism by fire, conceding 22 runs in his first over. Australia are off to a flying start, racing to 25 runs without loss!

22:12

Here are the Playing XIs

Here are the Playing XIs

England: Jos Buttler(w/c), Philip Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh(c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

22:11

England win toss; opt to bowl vs Aus

England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to field first against Australia in their T20 World Cup clash.

He acknowledged some uncertainty about the weather but expressed excitement for the high-profile match.

We are going to bowl first, Buttler said. Little bit unsure about the weather, but it's always a pleasure to play a World Cup game against Australia in Barbados. There are a couple of areas where we can improve, but we've trained well and are excited for the challenge.

Buttler highlighted England's recent success against Australia, while acknowledging past form doesn't guarantee victory. He also confirmed the team will be unchanged.

Australia's captain Mitchell Marsh revealed their preference to bowl first regardless of the toss outcome, citing the conditions and weather. He emphasised their focus on winning the tournament and called this a big match.

Speaking on the captaincy change, Marsh said, Great feeling. I have a lot of experienced players around me who are big-match winners.Australia will see one change, with Pat Cummins replacing Nathan Ellis.

21:58

England aim to fix bowling woes vs Australia

Welcome to the updates from Bridgetown where defending champions England will be looking to bounce back from a rain-affected opening match and solidify their T20 World Cup campaign with a strong performance against arch-rivals Australia.

England's first encounter against Scotland was washed out after Scotland put up a strong showing, scoring 90 runs for no loss in just 10 overs. This brief glimpse highlighted the need for England to tighten up their bowling department.

The Scottish openers, George Munsey and Michael Jones, feasted on all the English bowlers, raising concerns about their ability to handle Australia's more potent batting lineup. David Warner and Marcus Stoinis displayed their destructive power in Australia's opening win against Oman, showcasing the threat England faces.

All eyes will be on Jofra Archer, who is making his comeback to top-flight cricket. He conceded 12 runs in his two overs against Scotland, and his performance will be crucial to England's success.

Bowling is just one piece of the puzzle. England's batsmen, led by skipper Jos Buttler who had a successful IPL 2024 season, will need to fire in unison against the formidable Australian attack.

Australia's bowling attack was impressive against Oman, even without premier pacer Pat Cummins. Nathan Ellis played ahead of Cummins in the opening match, but Australia might consider bringing him back for this high-profile clash.

While Australia's batting seems settled, the inconsistent form of Glenn Maxwell is a cause for concern. After a disappointing IPL season with Royal Challengers Bangalore, Maxwell was dismissed for a first-ball duck against Oman. The 2021 champions will be hoping for a return to form from Maxwell, and the match against England presents a perfect opportunity for him to rediscover his touch.

08:21

Afghanistan thrash NZ by 85 runs!

NZ 75-all out (15.2 ovs) vs Afg 159-6 | Scorecard

Fittingly, Farooqi finishes off the match for Afghanistan. He takes the final wicket of Henry, who miscues the slower ball and is caught on the leg side for 12.

New Zealand, runners in the 2021 T20 World Cup, are bowled out for a lowly 75 in 15.2 overs as Afghanistan win by 85 runs for another big upset in this World Cup.

It is a historic victory for Afghanistan as they register their first victory against New Zealand in T20 Internationals.

Farooqi, who took five wickets in the previous match, once again starred with the ball with superb figures of 4/17 -- the same figures as captain Rashid, who ran through the New Zealand batting line-up in the middle overs.

Mohammad Nabi also chipped with 2/16 in four overs.

It was a forgettable performance by the New Zealand batters as Glenn Phillips (18) and Matt Henry (12) were the only two batters to score in double digits.

08:13

NZ 9 down; Afghanistan set for win

NZ 75-9 (15 ovs) vs Afg 159-6 | Scorecard

Left arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad comes into the attack, to bowl the 14th over.

No 9 Henry swings the flighted delivery from Ahmad over long-on for a six -- the first of the New Zealand innings.

He takes a single before Boult is beaten by the googly which goes straight on past the outside edge and he takes one from the last ball.

Pacer Naveen is back into the attack. Boult hits the first ball down to long-on for one and Henry does the same two balls later followed by three dots.

New Zealand are 75/9 in 15 overs, with 85 needed from the last five overs.

08:04

NZ 9 down; Afghanistan set for win

NZ 63-9 (13 ovs) vs Afg 159-6 | Scorecard

Another big upset on the cards as Afghanistan inch closer to a famous victory in the T20 World Cup.

Rashid ends his spell in style with the wicket of Ferguson for 2. The right-hander ends up slicing a simple return catch back to Rashid, who is delighted to accept the offering.

Rashid finishes with 4/17 as New Zealand are reduced to 63/9 in 13 overs.

08:00

NZ 8 down; Afghanistan set for win

NZ 59-8 (12 ovs) vs Afg 159-6 | Scorecard

Afghanistan dominating with the ball. Rashid nearly bowls a maiden over as he bowls six dots in a row to Matt Henry with the wide the only run of the over.

Nabi brings Afghanistan closer to victory. Santner fails to read the arm ball from the off-spinner as it goes straight on to hit the pads before deflecting on to the stumps.

Santner is dismissed for four as New Zealand slip to 59/8 in 12 overs.

07:52

NZ reeling on 54/7; Afghanistan on top

NZ 54-7 (10 ovs) vs Afg 159-6 | Scorecard

The wickets continue to tumble for New Zealand. Phillips looks to hit the Kiwis out of trouble as he lofts Nabi on the leg side but can't clear the boundary.

Rashid standing on the edge of the boundary at long-on takes a well-judged catch just inches inside the ropes.

Phillip walks back for 18 as New Zealand continue to lose wickets.

They are struggling on 54/7 in 10 overs at the halfway mark, needing another 106 from the last 10 overs for victory.

07:47

Rashid takes 3 as NZ collapse

NZ 49-6 (9 ovs) vs Afg 159-6 | Scorecard

Off-spinner Nabi is back into the attack as he sends down a tight over, giving away just three runs in his second over.

Rashid leaves New Zealand in further strife. Chapman looks to pull the short ball from the spinner but misses the ball completely and is bowled for four.

New Zealand sink further as they slip to 43/5 in the ninth over.

Rashid strikes again next ball. Michael Bracewell goes right back and tries to work it on the leg side but misses and is struck right in front. The Kiwi left-hander takes the review but the ball has struck in line and going on to hit the stumps.

The decision stands as Bracewell fall first ball with New Zealand reeling on 43/6, in the ninth over.

A rare short ball from Afghanistan today as Phillips pulls the half-tracker from Rashid for a four and then takes one.

Mitchell Santner is beaten last ball by the googly as he looks to defend but is beaten on the outside edge. Wicketkeeper Gurbaz interested in the review for caught behind but the umpire says not out.

07:36

Rashid strikes to leave NZ in a mess!

NZ 40-4 (7 ovs) vs Afg 159-6 | Scorecard

Naveen gets some away movement as Williamson looking to drive is beaten before he takes a single on the leg side.

Phillips slaps the pacer in the gap past point for two runs before he is also beaten as Naveen gets the ball to move away late.

Three runs from the over as New Zealand struggle to 33/3 in six overs.

Rashid Khan comes into the attack to bowl the seventh over. He strikes first ball with the big wicket of his opposite number Williamson, who guides it straight to the fielder at slip.

Williamson walks back for nine from 13 balls as New Zealand slip to 33/4 in the seventh over.

Mark Chapman gets off the mark with a single before Phillips pulls the short ball from Rashid for a four and then takes one.

07:24

Farooqi leaves New Zealand in a mess

NZ 30-3 (5 ovs) vs Afg 159-6 | Scorecard

Pacer Naveen-ul-Haq comes into the attack. Williamson has a narrow escape courtesy of the umpire's call.

The first ball swings in sharply as Williamson, who shuffles across and is struck on the pads but the umpire is unmoved. Afghanistan take the review but the ball is clipping the leg stump which means the decision stays with the umpire's call.

Afghanistan's players can't believe their luck as the not out decision stays.

Mitchell moves across to tap Naveen on the leg side for one and Williamson cuts the fifth ball over point for a four to release some pressure.

Farooqi gets a third over in the Powerplay and he deals New Zealand another blow.

From round the wicket, the left-armer gets the back to length ball to move away as Mitchell trying to defend gets the edge and is caught behind for 5.

Farooqi has incredible figures of 3/15 to leave New Zealand reeling on 28/3 in the fifth over.

Nearly another wicket as Glenn Phillips inside edges the first ball he faces which narrowly evades the stumps.

He gets the leading edge two balls later as Rashid running to his left at mid-off can't get to the ball followed by another inside edge off the last ball.

07:12

Farooqi strikes again; NZ in trouble

NZ 22-2 (3 ovs) vs Afg 159-6 | Scorecard

Off-spinner Mohammad Nabi from the other end. He gets some turn immediately as Conway gets a thick outside edge off the first ball trying to drive for two runs past the slip fielder.

The ball seems to have held on to the pitch along with some turn as Conway watchfully defends.

He then misses the sweep shot and is struck on the pads but the leg before shout is turned down. That looks outside the line but Afghanistan take the review which they lose as the ball is missing the stumps.

A couple of singles as Nabi gives away just four runs in his first over.

Farooqi from round the wicket gets the ball to jag into Williamson, who is struck on the pads but the ball is clearly going down.

Conway goes after a wide delivery looking to hit it square but the thick outside edge flies over the short thirdman fielder for a four.

But Farooqi gets his man next ball. The slower ball does the trick as Conway early into the drive as he taps a simple catch to the fielder in the covers.

Dary Mitchell gets off the mark with a boundary from the last ball of the over.

06:59

Farooqi strikes; NZ lose early wicket

NZ 7-1 (1 ov) vs Afg 159-6 | Scorecard

Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi to open the bowling, while Finn Allen and Devon Conway are the two openers for New Zealand, who need to make most of the Powerplay.

Farooqi gives Afghanistan a dream start with the wicket of Allen off the first ball. The full delivery swings in sharply as Allen looks to drive but is bowled through the gate for a golden duck.

Williamson defends the first ball he faces before he drives an overpitched delivery through the covers for three runs to get off the mark.

Farooqi gets the ball to swing but it is way down the leg side to Conway who misses the flick as it goes fine off the pads past the wicketkeeper for two leg byes.

The pacer bowls a wide before Conway takes a single from the last ball to retain strike.

06:45

Gurbaz's 80 lifts Afghanistan to 159

Afg 159-6 (20 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Part-time medium pacer Daryl Mitchell comes into the attack, to bowl the 19th over.

Gurbaz targets the pacer immediately as he clubs the first ball high over long-on for a six and then mistimes the pull shot for a single.

Singles off the next three balls before Gurbaz hammers the last ball over long-off for another six, as 16 runs come from the 19th over with Afghanistan going past 150.

Boult to bowl the final over. The first ball is a yorker as Rashid is beaten before Gurbaz calls him for a quick bye but the former is run out at the non-striker's end.

Boult gets the yorker perfectly next ball. This time the ball beats the well-set Gurbaz all ends up to bowl him after a superb innings of 80 from 56 balls, including five sixes and as many fours.

Gulbadin Naib is struck on the pads by the full delivery which swings in sharply. New Zealand take the review but the ball has pitched outside the line of leg stump.

Boult strikes a couple of balls later as Naib swings hard but only as far as Glenn Phillips in the deep.

Najibullah Zadran inside edges the full toss to fine leg for just a single.

Incredible bowling from Boult as he gives away just three runs in the final over, while picking up a couple of wickets to finish 2/22 in four overs.

Afghanistan finish on a healthy 159/6 in 20 overs on a tricky wicket which is not exactly easy for scoring. But New Zealand will believe they have enough firepower in their batting to overhaul their target.

On the other hand, Afghanistan have a solid bowling attack led by Rashid Khan and will be fancying their chances of defending this total.

06:28

Nabi out for duck; Afghanistan 3 down

Afg 140-3 (18 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Ferguson to bowl the 18th over. Gurbaz skips down the track to loft the pacer back over his head for a four and then slaps the full toss over mid-off for another boundary followed by a single.

Mohammad Nabi is deceived all ends up by the change of the pace as he miscues the full toss high trying to slog it across the line and is taken by Williamson for a first ball-duck.

Rashid Khan gets off the mark with an edged boundary as the ball flies past the wicketkeeper before he plays and misses next ball.

06:20

Henry strikes; Afghanistan 2 down

Afg 127-2 (17 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Santner to bowl his final over. Omarzai Azmatullah takes a single first ball and Gurbaz does the same next ball.

Some turn for Santner as Azmatullah is beaten trying to drive before he plays a cracking inside out drive over the covers for a four and clips the last ball off his pads for two runs.

Eight runs from the over as Santner finishes with 24 runs from his four overs.

Henry continues from the other end. Azmatullah shows why he was promoted to No 6 with a couple of sixes off Henry.

He takes full toll off the short ball from the Kiwi pacer, twice pulling it over midwicket for two sixes off three balls.

But Henry gets revenge as he deceives the right-hander with the slower as he miscues it to the fielder at sweeper cover to walk back after a cameo of 22 from 13 balls.

06:12

Gurbaz hits fifty; Afghans go past 100

Afg 106-1 (15 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Left-arm spinner Santner is back into the attack. Gurbaz clips the first ball in the gap through midwicket for two runs and takes a single next ball to bring up Afghanistan's 100, in the 14th over.

Two more singles as Santner does well to concede just five runs from his third over.

Henry back from the other end. He bowls a terrific bouncer to Zadran, who makes room but takes his eyes off the ball to be struck on the helmet.

Zadran undergoes the concussion test before he perishes next ball.

Ferguson ends New Zealand's frustration with the opening wicket. Zadran makes room to try and hit the short delivery over the off-side but ends up dragging the ball back on to his stumps.

Zadran is bowled for a good knock of 40 from 41 balls after he had put on 103 runs for the opening wicket with Gurbaz to give his team a good start.

06:00

Gurbaz hits fifty; Afghanistan on top

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Afg 97-0 (13 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

New Zealand have been pretty ordinary in the field. This time, captain Kane Williamson puts down a simple backtracking at mid-off after Zadran has mistimed the full toss from Ferguson.

The fielder at thirdman gifts Afghanistan bonus runs as Gurbaz steers it towards the fielder whose poor throw gifts the batter two runs.

Three runs from Ferguson's second over as Afghanistan reach 55 for no loss in 10 overs.

Afghanistan have slowed quite a lot after the Powerplay, with 11 runs coming from the last four overs.

Gurbaz breaks the shackles as he swings Bracewell over midwicket for a six as Glenn Phillips takes a diving catch but ends up over the boundary.

Two balls later, Zadran also joins the party as he hits Bracewell over midwicket for another six.

This is clear change of tactics from Afghanistan as Gurbaz despatches the last ball again over midwicket for the third six of the over.

After a few tight overs, Afghanistan get back on track as Bracewell concedes 21 runs from his third over.

In the next over, Zadran flicks the second ball from Ferguson over midwicket for a six to continue the momentum.

Zadran inside edges the slower ball for a single and Gurbaz takes one off the last ball as 10 come from the 12th over.

A desperate New Zealand bring back Boult to make the breakthrough. Gurbaz taps the first ball on the off-side for a quick single but the overthrow gets him another run.

Gurbaz uses his feet to loft Boult straight down the ground to continue the flow of sixes.

Afghanistan didn't hit a single six in the first 10 sixes, but have since then hit five sixes in the space of 14 balls.

Gurbaz takes a single to bring up his fifty from 40 balls as Afghanistan continue their superb opening stand.

05:45

Gurbaz, Zadran take Afg past 50

Afg 52-0 (9 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Off-spinner Michael Bracewell comes into the attack. The first ball goes straight as Gurbaz is beaten playing for the turn and again Conway struggles with the gloves.

He hits the next ball down to long-off for a single and Zadran inside edges the third ball on to his pads.

Two more singles as Bracewell gives away just three runs in his first over.

Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson into the attack from the other end. There is an appeal for run out as Gurbaz's straight drive hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. Ferguson was unable to stop the ball with his foot before Ferguson breaks down the stumps but Zadran manages to get back into his crease.

He takes a single down to long-on off the fifth ball before Gurbaz mistimes the pull shot off the last ball as Ferguson does well to concede just two singles from his first over.

Another tight over from off-spinner Bracewell, who concedes three runs from his second over as Afghanistan go past the 50-run mark, in the ninth over.

05:35

Afghanistan off a good start vs NZ

Afg 44-0 (6 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Boult bowls a good second over as he gives away just four runs, including a leg bye in the third over.

Spin introduced early as left-armer Mitchell Santner comes into the attack. He makes a good start as he concedes just two singles from the first four balls before Gurbaz misses the clip for a couple of leg byes.

Gurbaz comes down and has a huge swing but the ball goes off the inside edge beating part-time wicketkeeper Devon Conway for a boundary.

Infact, the ball has clipped the leg stump but the bails have not been dislodged which the umpire has missed as he rules it as a boundary.

Henry back into the attack. Zadran, on 13, gets a lifeline as he pulls the short ball to Finn Allen at deep square leg who puts down a simple catch in the deep.

Zadran takes one on the leg side and Gurbaz clips the fifth ball for two runs off his pads and keeps strike with one from the last ball.

Another miss from wicketkeeper Conway. Gurbaz guides Santner to short thirdman and wants the quick single but is sent back. The fielder throws back the ball immediately but wicketkeeper Conway fails to gather the ball to miss out on an easy wicket.

Gurbaz uses his feet to hit Santner down to long-off for a single.

The spinner strikes as Zadran misses the slog sweep and is ruled out leg before wicket. However, he manages to overturn the decision using the review as the ball tracker rules that the ball is going down and is too high.

A narrow escape for Zadran, who lofts the next ball inside out the covers for a four and keeps out the last ball.

Afghanistan have slowed slightly in the last couple of overs to reach 44 for no loss in six overs, with both openers on 20.

Zadran

05:20

Afghanistan off a good start vs NZ

Afg 21-0 (2 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are the two openers for Afghanistan, while veteran Trent Boult will open the bowling for the Kiwis.

Gurbaz clips the second ball past the fielder at midwicket for a couple of runs to get off the mark.

The next ball is slightly short as Gurbaz slaps in the gap past the fielder in the covers for a four before he pokes and is beaten outside the off-stump.

He confidently defends the last ball with a straight bat to end the first over.

Fast bowler Matt Henry from the other end. Zadran seems to have mistimed the drive but it goes in the gap through the covers for a couple of runs.

The next ball comes in as Zadran gets a thick inside edge which goes fine on the leg side for a four.

Zadran gets one off the middle as he flicks Henry over midwicket for a boundary before he is struck on the arm but the ball goes wide of the wicketkeeper for a leg bye.

Gurbaz uses his feet to hit over the top but gets the outside edge which flies past short thirdman for the third four of the over.

Afghanistan off to a flier as they race to 21 for no loss in two overs.

05:13

NZ elect to bowl vs Afghanistan

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has won the toss and elected to bowl against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup match in Guyana on Saturday.

Check out the playing XIs of the two teams:

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Finn Allen, Devon Conway (w/k), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson.

Afghanistan XI: Rashid Khan (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w/k), Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

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