Tarouba: Afghanistan defeated Papua New Guinea by seven wickets and qualified for the Super Eight Stage of the T20 World Cup thanks to yet another outstanding bowling performance. Afghanistan advanced to the Super Eight alongside co-hosts West Indies (6 points) from Group C after winning three of their last four games.
It also meant an early exit for 2021 finalists New Zealand who have suffered two losses in a row.
Naveen-ul-Haq was the pick of the bowling returning with 2/4 from 2.5 overs, while Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed 3/16 to take his tally to 12 wickets in the tournament as Afghanistan bowled out PNG for 95 in 19.5 overs.
In reply, Afghanistan overcame early jitters to reach the target in 15.1 overs with Gulabdin Naib anchoring the chase with a 36-ball 44 not out.
Brief Scores Papua New Guinea 95 all out in 19.5 overs (Kiplin Doriga 27, Alei Nao 13; Fazalaq Farooqi 3/16, Naveen-ul-Haq 2/4) lost to Afghanistan: 101/3 in 15.1 overs (Gulabdin Naib 44 not out) by 7 wickets.
With PTI inputs