Continuing their giant-killing spree, Afghanistan trounced hosts New Zealand by 202 runs in the quarterfinal to send out a timely warning to their more fancied opponents.
Both the teams had started the game on the back of contrasting results in their last match. New Zealand, the in-form hosts, had entered the match after three impressive wins in the group stage while Afghanistan had lost to Ireland in their last group game but reputation and form counted for little, as Afghanistan thrashed their illustrious opponents to seal a historic maiden semifinal berth.
After opting to bat, four Afghanistan batsmen scored half-centuries – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (69), Ibrahim Zadran (68), Bahir Shah (67 not out) and the whirlwind Azmatullah Omarzai (66 off just 23).
Openers Rahmanullah and Ibrahim Zadran laid the foundation for a big total adding 117 runs for the opening wicket. At 226 for five after the 44th over, Afghanistan was looking set for a competitive total, but a 300-plus total was looking unlikely. However, Azmatullah played a whirlwind knock of 66 off 23 balls with the help of three fours and seven sixes to guide his side to a mammoth total.
After the batsmen’s lit up the Hagley Oval, mystery spinner Mujeeb Zadran (4/14) and Qais Ahmed (4/33) ran through the New Zealand line-up to help Afghanistan bowl out the hosts for a paltry 107.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s monumental win has set Twitter on fire, as the cricketing fraternity congratulated the team for the win. Here are some of the messages:
Many congratulations @ACBofficials for reaching the semi-finals of the #U19CWC . Delight to watch the rapid progress Afghanistan is making at all levels #NZvAFG pic.twitter.com/JOVWmRMZU9
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 25, 2018
Congratulations @ACBofficials it was exciting to watch the U19team playing today .. amazing stuff. A team to watch out for that’s for sure. Some incredibly skilled players on show!! #U19CWC
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) January 25, 2018
Congratulations to @ACBofficials on joining @TheRealPCB and @CricketAus in the semifinals of the #U19CWC2018. Stunning performance. ???. One more team to go tomorrow. @bcci or @BCBtigers ?
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) January 25, 2018
no worries getting absolutely Spanked by Afghanistan. we just give them all residence… and BINGO! They can play for us in next Cricket World Cup. #immigrants #cricket #NZvAFG
— Stringy Bob (@eatshitdie) January 25, 2018
Our boys qualified for the semi final but we cannot throw a party. Terrorists in #Kabul and #Jalalabad shed so much innocent blood and we are busy mourning them. #Cricket #NZvAFG https://t.co/SNSyZOCp8K
— Sharif Hassan (@MSharif1990) January 25, 2018
David vs Goliath : #AfgvNZ #U19CWC and I hear that Goliath aka New Zealand been slayed by the young colts of Afghanistan.
— vijay shenoy (@ishenoy) January 25, 2018
#NZvAFG It is really a great news for AFG who after scoring 309 runs routed out home team NZ for 107 runs.what a day for them . they now meet Australia in Semis.
— I AM Modi Totlani Krishan?? (@kktotlani) January 25, 2018
Take a Bow @ACBofficials…Have already beaten Pak & SL in the Tournament & now they beat NZ by a huge margin of 202 runs?? Afg's Rapid Progress has been Unbelievable & their Future looks extremely Promising??#WellDeserved #SemiFinalists #NZvAFG #ICCU19WorldCup #U19CWC
— Dharmil Sanghani (@sanghanidharmil) January 25, 2018
#FutureStars unearthed! Thrilling performance from Afghanistan U19 today. Destructive batting followed by some ruthless bowling. So much maturity and understanding of the modern game. Great strike zones, bowlers with X factor, it was all there! #U19CWC #NZvAfg @ACBofficials
— Ajesh Ramachandran (@Edged_and_taken) January 25, 2018
Congratulations @ACBofficials for the big win of 202 runs margin against home side New Zeland.
NZ even failed to avoid follow-on ??
They will meet Australia in Semi Final. Best wishes. #NZvAFG
— Manoj Ghimire ?? (@Laatokoshero_) January 25, 2018
Spectacular striking from Azmatullah Omarzai – 66 runs from 23 balls takes Afghanistan past 300. Great skills! 3 x 4s, 7 x 6s Big sixes comfortably clearing the boundary at the Hagley Oval. This boy can play! #U19CWC #FutureStars #NZvAFG
— Ajesh Ramachandran (@Edged_and_taken) January 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheDissentor/status/956344550468984832
It's a crime to call an Afghanistan victory (at any level) an upset anymore. The recently crowned Asian U19 champs have beaten Pak & SL convincingly at the #U19CWC & I see them as serious contenders for the title.
— Chinmay Jawalekar (@CricfreakTweets) January 17, 2018