New Zealand Extend Winning Streak in Pakistan with Champions Trophy Warm-Up Victory Over Afghanistan

New Zealand are in such impressive form that they’d probably want the Champions Trophy to start immediately. Over the past 10 days, they defeated hosts Pakistan twice and South Africa in just seven days to clinch the tri-series title. They have now opened their Champions Trophy campaign with a warm-up win. Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, and captain Mitchell Santner led the charge as New Zealand chased down 306 runs with 13 balls to spare in a thrilling match.

Gurbaz’s Century Leads Afghanistan to Strong Total, New Zealand Challenged

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s century powered Afghanistan to a strong score in excess of 300 while the likes of Sediqullah Atal and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi made important contributions. Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry and Santner shared two wickets apiece as Afghanistan managed to challenge New Zealand even though it seemed like a good wicket at the National Stadium in Karachi.

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Confident Heading into Champions Trophy Opener Against Pakistan

Still without Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand lost Will Young cheaply but Conway and Mark Chapman did well to take the Black Caps over the century mark. Conway retired out after a brilliant 66 and New Zealand lost Chapman in quick succession and had to rebuild. Fortunately for the Kiwis, every batter that came in kept going on and those cameos of 30s and 40s from Phillips, Santner, Henry and Daryl Mitchell at the end took the visitors home. New Zealand will be confident about their form and will be keen to roll over the hosts Pakistan in the Champions Trophy opener once again, on Wednesday, February 19.

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he last two warm-up matches will take place on Monday, February 17 with Pakistan Shaheens up against South Africa in Karachi while Bangladesh locking horns against another Pakistan Shaheens squad at the ICC Academy in Dubai. Bangladesh begin their Champions Trophy campaign against India in Dubai on Thursday, February 20.