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NZ vs AFG: New Zealand secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up match in Karachi on February 16.

In a high-scoring contest that tested both teams’ depth, the Kiwis chased down a daunting 306-run target with 13 balls to spare, displaying remarkable composure under pressure.

Afghanistan, led by a sublime century from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (110 off 107 balls), put up a challenging 305/9 in 50 overs. However, a resilient batting performance from Devon Conway (66 off 67 balls), Mark Chapman (47 off 55), and Glenn Phillips (46 off 35) guided New Zealand to 308/8 in 47.5 overs, sealing a confidence-boosting win ahead of the main tournament.

Afghanistan Innings Summary

Extras: 24 (b 3, lb 1, w 20)

Total: 305/9 in 50 overs (RR: 6.1)

Fall of Wickets

1-96, 2-174, 3-174, 4-234, 5-241, 6-259, 7-282, 8-284, 9-289

New Zealand Bowling

Afghanistan Bat First – Gurbaz’s Heroics Set a Tough Target

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan made a strong start, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz leading the charge. The wicketkeeper-batter played a brilliant knock, crafting his 110-run masterpiece with elegant strokes and aggressive intent. His innings, laced with 12 fours and a six, was the backbone of Afghanistan’s total.

His opening partner, Ibrahim Zadran (32 off 49 balls), provided solid support, rotating the strike and ensuring the Afghan innings had a steady foundation. However, the real fireworks came from Sediqullah Atal (52 off 42 balls), who took on the New Zealand bowlers with a flurry of boundaries, smashing five fours and two sixes in his quickfire knock.

Middle-Order Contributions and Late Collapse

Afghanistan seemed poised for a total beyond 320, especially with Hashmatullah Shahidi (40 off 48 balls) anchoring the middle overs. But the Kiwis struck back with crucial breakthroughs. Mitchell Santner (2/34 in 8 overs) and Matt Henry (2/37 in 5 overs) applied pressure, forcing the Afghan middle order into errors.

The last few overs saw Afghanistan losing wickets in clusters, with Gulbadin Naib (12), Mohammad Nabi (11), and Nangeyalia Kharote (10) failing to accelerate. Despite their promising start, Afghanistan ended at 305/9 in 50 overs, which looked competitive but not quite out of reach for the experienced New Zealand batting lineup.

New Zealand Innings Summary

Extras: 18 (lb 6, nb 11, w 1)

Total: 308/8 in 47.5 overs (RR: 6.43)

Fall of Wickets:

1-45, 2-125, 3-140, 4-148, 5-152, 6-232, 7-234, 8-234

Afghanistan Bowling:

New Zealand’s Chase – Conway and Chapman Lead the Way

Facing a tricky chase of 306, New Zealand openers Will Young (14 off 24 balls) and Devon Conway (66 off 67 balls) started cautiously. Young fell early, but Conway took charge, mixing solid defense with fluid strokeplay. His knock included seven boundaries and one six, ensuring New Zealand stayed in control.

After Conway’s dismissal, Mark Chapman (47 off 55 balls) and Tom Latham (15 off 19 balls) kept the scoreboard ticking. Chapman, in particular, looked in fine touch, playing risk-free yet aggressive cricket to build a solid partnership.

Afghanistan, however, fought back with Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad keeping things tight. Rashid’s twin strikes, including the dismissal of Chapman, left New Zealand wobbling at 152/5, shifting the momentum back to the Afghan camp.

Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell’s Power-Hitting Seals the Deal

With the game hanging in the balance, Glenn Phillips (46 off 35 balls) stepped up, blazing through the Afghan bowling attack. His innings, featuring six fours and a six, swung the match back in New Zealand’s favor. He found a handy partner in Mitchell Santner (33 off 35 balls), and the pair put on a crucial 80-run stand to stabilize the innings.

Afghanistan’s bowlers, including Noor Ahmad (2/76 in 10 overs) and Rashid Khan (2/33 in 7 overs), fought hard but lacked support from the pacers. Daryl Mitchell (36 off 25 balls) and Matt Henry (31 off 20 balls) finished the chase in style, smashing boundaries at will in the final few overs to guide New Zealand home. New Zealand wrapped up the chase at 308/8 in 47.5 overs, winning by two wickets and gaining much-needed momentum ahead of the tournament’s group stage.

Key Performances – NZ vs AFG Warm-Up Match Highlights

Afghanistan Batting:

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz - 110 off 107 balls (12 fours, 1 six)
• Sediqullah Atal – 52 off 42 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes)
• Hashmatullah Shahidi – 40 off 48 balls

New Zealand Bowling:

• Mitchell Santner – 2/34 (8 overs)
• Matt Henry – 2/37 (5 overs)
• James Duffy – 2/49 (7 overs)

New Zealand Batting:

• Devon Conway – 66 off 67 balls (7 fours, 1 six)
• Mark Chapman – 47 off 55 balls
• Glenn Phillips – 46 off 35 balls (6 fours, 1 six)
• Daryl Mitchell – 36 off 25 balls (3 fours, 1 six)
• Matt Henry – 31 off 20 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes)

Afghanistan Bowling:

• Rashid Khan – 2/33 (7 overs)
• Noor Ahmad – 2/76 (10 overs)
• Azmatullah Omarzai – 1/24 (5 overs)