Afghanistan U19 created history by defeating hosts New Zealand U19 in the quarter-finals of the ICC U19 World Cup 2018 at Christchurch.
Afghanistan U19 captain Naveen-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (69) and Ibrahim Zadran (68) added 117 runs in 20 overs. Bahir Shah added 67* and Azmatullah Omarzai scored 66 as Afghanistan U19 scored 309/6 in their 50 overs.
New Zealand U19 had to apply themselves and chase down the total, but Afghanistan U19 bowlers proved too much for the young Kiwis. Katene Clarke made 38 and Dale Phillips hit 31, as Afg bowlers demolished Kiwi batting order.
Mujeeb picked 4/14 and Qais Ahmed picked 4/33 as New Zealand folded up for 107 runs in the 29th over.
Afghanistan U19 won the match by 202 runs and qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC U19 World Cup 2018 and eliminated the hosts from the competition.
Twitter went crazy as the young Afghans made their country and whole of cricketing fraternity proud and we have some tweets for you, celebrating their win.
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 bishop (@irbishi) January 25, 2018
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
Congrats to All Afghan nation for this great win over NEw Zealand ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/y8Lj6ksDiF
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) January 25, 2018
Really great win proud of u blue tigers ???? Afghanistan are into the #U19CWC semi-finals!@ProfDeano @MashalAtif @ShafiqStanikzai @rashidkhan_19 @ACA_Players @afghcricket ???????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/vduxARDYhW
— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) January 25, 2018
Disappointed for NZ U19's, but very happy for the @ACBofficials U19's.
— Iain O'Brien (@iainobrien) January 25, 2018
Congrats, well done.#U19CWC
Stunning display by Afghanistan U19’s here at Hagley Oval ???? #U19CWC 309/6 fabulous... serious young talent outta #Afghanistan ???? Exciting for future tourny’s #maximumsgalore ????
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) January 25, 2018