New Zealand continued their winning run in the World Cup with a thumping 149-run win over Afghanistan in Chennai.
The Black Caps slipped from 109-1 to 110-4, but were revived by a stand of 144 between Glenn Phillips, who made 71, and captain Tom Latham’s 68.
Both were dismissed by Naveen-ul-Haq in the 48th over before Mark Chapman’s 12-ball 25 propelled New Zealand to 288-9.
The bowlers then completed a clinical performance as Afghanistan were all out for 139 in reply.
Afghanistan were left to rue a sloppy fielding performance that saw them drop five straightforward catches and miss a stumping, with opener Will Young dropped on one before going on to make a half-century.
Latham was dropped twice before reaching his fifty, allowing his side to blitz 62 from the final five overs.
With a competitive score to defend, Trent Boult and Matt Henry’s economical opening burst got rid of Afghanistan’s openers before Mitchell Santner’s spectacular diving catch removed captain Hashmatullah Shahidi to leave them wobbling at 43-3.
Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai recovered with a stand of 54, but as the run-rate spiralled the middle order eventually buckled under the pressure and lost their last seven wickets for 42 runs.
Santner added 3-39 to his fielding efforts, while Lockie Ferguson troubled Afghanistan with his pace to take 3-19.
The margin of victory boosts New Zealand’s net run-rate significantly and takes them to the top of the table, above India who are also unbeaten having played one game fewer. The Black Caps’ next match is against India in Dharamsala on Sunday. (BBC Sport)
