Afghanistan vs Papua New Guinea ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2024 Full Scorecard

SIX! Gulbadin Naib finishes the game off in style! Afghanistan are through to the Super 8 stage! Chad Soper serves it right in the slot, on off, Gulbadin Naib picks up the length early and goes down town. Gets more height than distance but gets enough bat on to clear the long on fielder who ran across to his left. Naib celebrates by flexing his muscles and it is all smiles in the Afghan camp. Afghanistan win by 7 wickets with 4.5 overs to spare!

Bye! Everything happening! This is slower and it does not rise at all, outside off, Gulbadin Naib uses his feet and swings to go downtown but misses. The ball dribbles towards the keeper, Kipling Doriga who has a shy at the stumps but misses. The ball rolls past the bowling end, allowing the batters to take a run on the overthrow.

Misfield! Gets the yorker in, on off and middle, Mohammad Nabi squeezes it out to mid-wicket where the fielder lets it through his hands and concedes a single.

Pulls the length back now a bit and lands it on off, Gulbadin Naib punches it in front of square on the off side and gets to the other end.

Keeps it full and on off, Gulbadin Naib clips it aerially but to the left of mid-wicket for two runs more. Just 4 needed now.

Fuller in length, on off, Gulbadin Naib springs on the front foot and lofts it over mid on for a couple of runs.

SIX! Absolutely smoked! Alei Nao comes back into the attack and serves it with an upright seam, on a length, around off, Gulbadin Naib clears his front leg nice and early and swats it flat and over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

And again! Darted in from around the wicket, on a fullish length, Mohammad Nabi can only squeeze this one back to Kariko.

Loops it up, on a fullish length, on middle, Mohammad Nabi jams it out back to the bowler.

This one comes in with the arm, short and outside off, Gulbadin Naib goes back and across and cuts it past backward point for a single.

Way too slow and on off, full in length, Mohammad Nabi shovels it out towards deep cover for one.

Good length around off, Mohammad Nabi presses forward and pushes it to covers.

FOUR! Magnificent shot! John Kariko lands it right on the off stump, a half-volley, Mohammad Nabi clears his front leg and drives it inside out over covers for a boundary.

Short and jagging back a bit on off, Mohammad Nabi goes for an aerial route on the pull shot but mistimes it and the ball lands just ahead of the advancing deep mid-wicket fielder for a single to end the over. Afghanistan need 20 runs now off 42 balls remaining.

Good length, just around off, Gulbadin Naib prods ahead and pushes it in front of mid off and sneaks a quick single. Good running!

Too full and outside off, Gulbadin Naib chops it on with the inside edge and onto the boot.

Gentle-paced delivery on the leg stump line, Mohammad Nabi flicks it towards deep backward square leg for an easy single.

Good length on the stumps, 121 kph, Gulbadin Naib whips it towards deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Good shot! Short in length, on the top of off, sets up nicely for the batter, Gulbadin Naib readies himself on the back foot, rolls his wrists and pulls it nicely through deep square leg for a boundary.

Shade short and around leg, Mohammad Nabi looks to flick it but gets a leading edge that falls well short of the bowler.

Flighted on the stumps, Mohammad Nabi presses forward and defends it, and gets hit on the gloves due to the extra bounce.

Good length on the stumps, Gulbadin Naib punches it towards long on for a single.

Another appeal for LBW but turned down again! John Kariko convinces his skipper Assad Vala to go upstairs once again. Review taken. John Kariko bowls it from around the wicket and lands it in front of the stumps on a fuller length, Gulbadin Naib gets a good stride forward to defend it but plays it over the line and the ball passes closely through the inside edge and pings his front pad. UltraEdge shows there's no nick and Ball Tracking confirms that the impact is in line but the ball is missing to hit the leg stump. Papua New Guinea have lost both their reviews now.

Drifts it on the leg stump line, on a length, Mohammad Nabi misses to tuck it away and gets a brush off the thigh pad towards widish square leg for a leg bye.

Tossed up on the stumps, Gulbadin Naib knocks it down the ground to long on for a single.

Good-length delivery around off, Mohammad Nabi presses forward and defends it straight back to the bowler.

An appeal for LBW, but turned down! Assad Vala, the PNG skipper opts for a review and challenges the on-field decision. Chad Soper bowls with a beautiful seam position and lands a low full toss around the middle and leg, Mohammad Nabi is a bit late to bring his bat down and looks to flick it away, but doesn't connect and gets a ping on the front pad. UltraEdge shows no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside leg. A review burnt by PNG here.

Fuller in length again, on the middle and leg channel, Mohammad Nabi flicks it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for another couple of runs.

Full and tailing in the leg side, Mohammad Nabi plays it with a straight bat and manages to clear the inner ring over mid on and gets a double.

Back of a length, on off, Gulbadin Naib punches it off the back foot towards the left of long on for an easy single.

Bowls at a gentle pace, outside off on a length, Mohammad Nabi dabs it in between cover-point and fetches a single. The fielder from cover moves to his left and picks it up and throws it at the keeper's end.

Drinks! Time for a hydration break. Well, the game is still tilted in favor of Afghanistan as they need way less than run a ball from here. But, Papua New Guinea bowlers have managed to chip in with wickets at times and haven't let the Afghan batters to be at ease. They need more wickets, and in clusters, that too, as quick as possible. With a good batting still to follow, Afghanistan will look to sail through the winning line without losing any further wickets. Chad Soper (1-0-7-0) comes back into the attack.

Good early call! Dishes it out on a fullish length, on off, Mohammad Nabi jams it out in front of mid off and calls Naib through for a quick single.

At 128.4 kph, keeps it on a back of a length, on off, Mohammad Nabi defends at it tentatively off the back foot and gets an inside edge back onto his pads.

Play and a miss! Steams in from around the wicket and bowls it in the channel on off, on a back of a length, Mohammad Nabi pokes at the delivery and he is lucky not to nick this one behind.

Goes even fuller this time and it is around off, Gulbadin Naib slices it in the air but it goes on the bounce to deep cover for a run.

Pitches it right up to the batter, on middle, Mohammad Nabi clips it wide of mid on for a single.

Serves it on a short of a good length, on off, Mohammad Nabi pushes it wide of cover but gets sent back again by Naib.

Mohammad Nabi gets off the mark with an overthrow. Length delivery, on off, Mohammad Nabi pushes it in front of cover and sets off for the run. Gets sent back by Gulbadin Naib and the fielder has a shy at the batting end. There is no one to back the throw up and Nabi opens his account with a single.

Full and shaping in a touch, on middle, Mohammad Nabi knocks it along the ground to mid on.

'The Professor', Mohammad Nabi walks in at number 5.

OUT! CASTLED! Not much Azmatullah Omarzai could have done there. Norman Vanua steams in from over the wicket and attacks the stumps with a length delivery, angling in, on middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai shapes up to push it back past the bowler with a straight bat. The ball keeps very low and sneaks under the bat to rattle into the stumps. Vanua roars in delight as he gets his first wicket of the game.

Oh, that nearly sneaked through! Slanting in from over the wicket, fuller and on off, Gulbadin Naib shuffles across and goes for a heave across the line. Gets it off the toe-end and it then goes on to deflect off the pads. The batters cross as the ball rolls down to deep third for one.

Bowls it on a short of a good length, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai gets on his toes and punches it to deep cover for a single.

Angling in a touch, on a length, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai plays it late and glides it straight to backward point.

Spears it in from around the wicket, short and at the stumps, Gulbadin Naib gets taken aback slightly by the extra bounce but does well to keep it out on the off side.

Shortens his length and lands it on middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai works it with the angle to deep square leg for one.

Darts it back in, fuller and on off, Azmatullah Omarzai presses forward and taps it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Slashes and slashes hard does Omarzai! Quicker and shorter, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai goes for the cut but gets a thickish outside edge that flies through the vacant short third region for a boundary.

A hint of away turn, short and on off, Gulbadin Naib whips it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end. Afghanistan halfway there. 48 more runs required for a spot in the Super 8 stage.

Gets a bit of extra bounce first up, on a nagging length, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai rocks back and rides the bounce well to cut it to deep point for a single.

Swing and a miss! Fuller in length, outside off, Gulbadin Naib skips down the track and swings to go back over the bowler's head but misses as the ball keeps low and sneaks past the inside edge.

FOUR! Short and punished! Way too short from Vanua, Gulbadin Naib gets on the back foot and fetches the pull from outside off. Drags the shot to the left of mid-wicket for a boundary.

This is short in length, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai stands tall and gets on top of the bounce to punch it in front of square on the off side for one.

Goes full and straight, at the stumps, Azmatullah Omarzai drives it neatly but can't get it past mid off.

Lands it on a back of a length again, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai waits on it and opens the bat face to steer it to the left of backward point for a couple of runs.

Oh, that kept low! At 124.3 kph, on a short of a good length, angling in, just outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai stays leg side of the ball as he looks to guide it through the off side but misses as the ball scoots under the bat.

Pulls his length back a touch and serves it on off, Gulbadin Naib gets half-forward and pats it to cover.

Keeps it full and around the off-stump line, played back to the bowler by Naib.

FOUR! Shot! Full and on off, Gulbadin Naib gets his weight on the front foot and drills it to the right of mid off for a boundary.

In the air...but it goes just over! Soper bowls it on a back of a length with an upright seam, on middle and leg, Gulbadin Naib has a swipe across the line but gets a leading edge that goes in the air towards backward point. Two fielders turn around but the ball evades both of them. Two runs taken.

Gets the ball to nip back in this time, on a good length, on off, Gulbadin Naib pushes it with a straight bat to a straightish mid-wicket.

Starts off with a full delivery, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai leans on it and drives it to deep cover for a single.

DROPPED! Oh, no! Kipling Doriga has just put down a sitter! Alei Nao continues from over the wicket and lands it on a length, that nips away with the angle, Gulbadin Naib plays it inside the line of the ball anticipating it to come a bit closer at him but takes the outside edge that flies straight towards the right of the keeper. Kipling Doriga dives to his right but juggles in the end, eventually shelling the catch. How costly would this prove to be for PNG? Only time will tell.

Outside off on a good length, slightly nipping away, Gulbadin Naib fetches it from outside off and toe ends it towards the left of mid on.

Attacks the off stump on a hard length, Gulbadin Naib gets through the line and knocks it back at the bowler.

Varies his pace on a length, but keeps the line on the middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai waits for it and nudges it towards widish mid on for a quick single.

Touch full and on the middle and leg channel, Azmatullah Omarzai again closes the bat's face a bit early and takes the leading edge of the willow towards covers.

Angles it down the leg side, on a length, Azmatullah Omarzai is a bit early onto the flick shot and gets a leading edge in front of the covers.

FOUR! What a glorious on drive! Aims the toes but serves a half-volley, Gulbadin Naib knocks it solidly through mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.

On the back of a length, on off, Gulbadin Naib camps back and solidly punches it in front of mid off.

A knee-length full toss on off, Azmatullah Omarzai prods ahead and drives it crisply straight to the left of mid off and fetches a single.

WIDE! That's a bit sloppy and wayward! Slants it way across the off stump line, and beyond the guideline. Wided.

Aims a pinpoint yorker, tails in a shade as well on the middle, Azmatullah Omarzai brings the bat down in time and inside edges onto the boot. Good delivery!

Pitches it on a good length, across off, Gulbadin Naib goes back and across and punches it towards the widish deep third region for a single.

WIDE! Swinging down the leg side on a fuller length, keeps low on the bounce as well. Gulbadin Naib misses to flick it fine. The keeper collects the ball with a full-stretched dive to his left.

Across off on a length, Gulbadin Naib gets on the back foot and taps it in front of point.

A yorker outside the line of the off stump, Azmatullah Omarzai digs it out straight back to the bowler. End of a successful over for PNG.

WIDE! Full and swinging away outside off beyond the tramline. Wide given.

Azmatullah Omarzai comes out to the middle.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Swing and a miss and Gurbaz falls too. Alei Nao bowls a conventional fuller-length delivery, moving a shade back into the batter from off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz skips down the track looking to hoist it over the leg side but tries to hit it too hard and ends up losing his shape completely. As a result, the ball sneaks through the inside edge and breaks into the stumps.

Back of a length ball on the stumps, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stands tall and defends it to covers.

SIX! Didn't time it perfectly but it has got enough fire to sail over the fence. Lands it on a length, at the stumps, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses his feet to get to the length of the ball and swipes it across the line, getting the inner half of the bat. He powerfully hits it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. The first one of the game.

On the middle and full in length, Gulbadin Naib clips it to deep backward square leg for one.

Full in length, around middle and leg, Gulbadin Naib flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a brace.

FOUR! Poor line and rightly punished! Angles it into the leg stump line, pitching fuller in length, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plants his front foot in line and clips it through backward square leg for a boundary.

Off the mark with a single. On the hard length, with a minimal inward movement onto the pads, Gulbadin Naib tucks it towards the leg side for a single.

Gulbadin Naib walks in at number 3.

OUT! YOU MISS I HIT! Afghanistan lose the first wicket and Semo Kamea and all the PNG players are ecstatic. And again, a beautiful seam position, tailing into the leg stump line from middle, on a fuller length, Ibrahim Zadran stays leg side of the ball and goes for a heave across the line but the ball stays a bit low on the bounce and skids through quickly beating the batter's inside edge and dismantles the furniture. A duck for Ibrahim Zadran.

Tails into the batter from the middle, on a fullish length, Ibrahim Zadran plants his front leg ahead and knocks it towards mid on.

On the back of a length, angling across off, Ibrahim Zadran slashes at it but misses.

OUT! LBW! A huge adamant shout for LBW and the umpire gives it a thought but raises his finger eventually! Semo Kamea pitches it around the leg stump line, and tails into the pads, Ibrahim Zadran plays over the line and the ball sneaks past the inside edge and pings the pads. Ball Tracking shows that the ball has clearly pitched outside the leg stump which saves Ibrahim Zadran.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Semo Kamea who has been brought into the side for this game.

Hurls it in on a good length and it shapes away from the right-hander, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is happy to let that one go.

FIVE LEG BYES! OH DEAR! PNG just cannot afford these silly errors. On the back of a length, on the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran gets it off the thigh pad towards backward point and sets off for a leg bye. The fielder picks up and has a shy at the striker's end but no backup leads the ball to the deep. The mid on fielder chases the ball and cuts it before the ropes and throws it to the keeper's end where the keeper also fails to collect it cleanly. The ball rolls behind the wickets and the batters cross for five leg byes.

Short of good length outside off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it on the up and the cover fielder stops it with a dive to his right.

Beaten! There's that movement outside off! On a length, moving away from the batter. Ibrahim Zadran tries to play the cover drive on the up but gets beaten on the outside edge.

WIDE! Sloppy and wayward! This time, Alei Nao bowls it on a length, but too wide outside the guideline on off, Ibrahim Zadran shoulders his arms at it.

WIDE! He will have to reload this one again! Sprays it down the leg side on a fuller length, Ibrahim Zadran misses to flick it away. Wide given.

A bit closer to the body on the top of off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz slashes it off the toe end of the bat in front of the covers and gets off the mark with a single.

Little bit of an away movement from outside off on the back of a length, Rahmanullah Gurbaz watches it closely and lets it go.

OUT! RUN OUT! That's the fourth run out for PNG and they get bundled up just before the triple figures. Naveen-ul-Haq follows the batter who shuffles across the leg stump line, and bowls it on the back of a length, angling down the leg side. John Kariko swipes it across the line but only meets thin air and Rahmanullah Gurbaz collects the ball on a couple of bounces behind the wickets. John Kariko goes for a bye but Gurbaz removes his gloves and underarms a direct hit at the striker's end. The TV replay shows that Semo Kamea is short of the popping crease. OUT appears on the giant screen.

And again! A slower one on the leg stump line, John Kariko again tries to ramp it over the short fine but fails to get any connection.

Naveen-ul-Haq lands it on the leg stump line again, just closer to the stump on a fuller length. John Kariko moves way across the off stump and tries to scoop it over short fine but misses.

Sees the batter shuffling across the leg stump, Naveen-ul-Haq follows him and lands it outside the leg stump line, full in length. Semo Kamea gets an inside edge that runs down to deep fine and the batters cross for one.

Beaten! An off-cutter on the top of off, on a good length. Semo Kamea goes to poke at it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Nicely placed! First boundary conceded by Fazalhaq Farooqi in this game. Pitches it on the back of a length, angling in on off, John Kariko moves leg side of the ball to open up the off side, and simply places the ball through the vacant backward point region for a boundary.

Stretches his length a bit this time and lands it very full, on the middle, John Kariko clears his front leg and digs it out to mid off.

Good length, angling on the middle, John Kariko blocks it off to the leg side.

Back of a length, outside off, Semo Kamea guides it towards deep third for one.

Semo Kamea is the last man in for Papua New Guinea.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Fazalhaq Farooqi gets his third and he is on a roll here. Pitches it short of a good length, and skids through quickly as well on the bodyline on off and middle. Alei Nao attempts to pull it but plays it way too closer and gets cramped up for room. Hence, the ball slices off the willow's bottom half, and spoons up in the air towards long on where Rashid Khan takes a good catch. PNG are 9 down now.

Over the wicket, on a length, Alei Nao gets beaten by the pace off and the ball goes over the top of off.

Googly on a length, John Kariko leaves it alone.

WIDE! Good length, down the leg. John Kariko misses to clip it down. Wided.

John Kariko comes out to bat now.

OUT! LBW! Noor breaks a brewing partnership here and gets his first wicket. A gem of a delivery! Bowls a googly on a fuller length, pitches on the middle and off channel, Kipling Doriga is drawn forward and goes to play a defensive shot but the ball beats his outside edge as he plays inside the line and the ball pings on the front pad. A huge confident appeal for LBW and no hesitation from the umpire who raises his finger as it is plumb in front of the stumps.

Full and outside off, Kipling Doriga goes to defend it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! These are important runs for PNG! Tossed up on off, Kipling Doriga walks down a couple of steps and spanks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

DROPPED! Across the wickets on a fuller length, quicker on off, Alei Nao skips down the track and looks to swipe it across the line but gets a leading edge that flies towards backward point where Gulbadin Naib shells an easy one.

Provides some revs on the ball, and drops it outside off, on a length, Kipling Doriga rocks back and punches it towards deep point for one.

Drags his length this time, outside off, Alei Nao mistimes the shot back to Rashid Khan.

Googly again, turning in from middle on the pads, Alei Nao gets totally deceived by it, tries to hoick it over the leg side but gets a thud on the front thigh pad.

Fuller in length, on the stumps, Kipling Doriga slogs it across towards the leg side for one.

A googly on the pads, Kipling Doriga rocks back but the ball pings his back thigh pad.

In the air...but safe! Floats it up, full and on the middle again, Alei Nao clears his front leg and mistimes it up in the air off the toe end, and the ball lands behind mid on for a single.

Drops it full and on the middle, closer to the body, Kipling Doriga sits on the knee and sweeps it with no real timing towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Touch fuller and it is outside off, Kipling Doriga pats it in front of cover-point for a quick single.

Around the wicket, full and tossed up on middle and leg, Alei Nao drives it down the ground for one.

A wrong'un that deceives the willow's edge, full and outside off, Alei Nao looks to slog it down the ground but misses. Rahmanullah Gurbaz collects it cleanly behind the wickets and flashes off the bails in the blink of an eye. The off-side replay shows that Alei Nao's feet is grounded when the stumps are broken. Not Out then.

Is that out? Rahmanullah Gurbaz seems confident and the third umpire is called into action to check for stumping. The replays show that Alei Nao has his back leg grounded inside the crease.

Full and on the leg stump line, Alei Nao drives it back to the bowler.

Good length, outside off, Alei Nao looks for a cut shot and opts out eventually.

Full and on the middle and leg, Kipling Doriga strides out to play at it but gets it off the pads as the ball rolls towards square leg. The two batters sneak in a leg bye. The fielder at square leg hits bull's eye at the non-striker's end but Doriga is well inside as the replays confirm.

Noor Ahmad (2-0-4-0) is back.

Lands it on a nagging length, on off, Kipling Doriga punches it wide of point and retains the strike with a single.

FOUR! Nicely hit! Rashid Khan slips in a googly, full and at the stumps, Kipling Doriga picks the googly well and drills it to the left of long on for a boundary.

Dishes out a googly, full and on middle, Alei Nao backs away and hacks it to long on for one.

Oh, just missed the off-stump! Bowls it on a length and gives the ball a bit of air, on off, Alei Nao sits for the sweep but misses as a bit of extra bounce results in the ball going over the bat.

Shorter and quicker, on middle, punched down the ground to long on for a run.

Tosses it up, full and turning away, on middle, Kipling Doriga goes for the sweep but gets a top edge that lands safely to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Good strike to end the most productive over of the innings for PNG. 12 runs off it. Janat errs in length as this is too full, on middle, Alei Nao clears his front leg and swings through the line to smack it past the bowler and to the left of mid on for a boundary.

Takes pace off and drags the length back, at the batter, Kipling Doriga uses his feet and waits for the ball to arrive before helping it down to fine leg for a single.

Very full and slanting in, on middle, Alei Nao swings to drill it back past the bowler but gets an outside edge that goes down to deep third for a run.

A bit slower and fuller, on middle, Alei Nao gets behind the line and defends it with a straight bat.

At the stumps, on a back of a length, on middle, Kipling Doriga nudges it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

FOUR LEG BYES! More runs for Papua New Guinea. Karim slips it on the pads, on a nagging length, Kipling Doriga tries to work it away with the angle but fails to get any bat on it. It races away off the pads towards deep fine leg for a boundary. The extras tally is up to 24 now.

WIDE! Dishes it out on a fullish length but it goes beyond the tramline on off, Kipling Doriga reaches out for the drive but fails to get any bat on it.

Big swing and a miss! Omarzai goes into the wicket, around off, Alei Nao clears his front leg and has a swipe across the line. The ball sneaks under the bat and zips past the off pole.

Beaten! On a length, just outside off. Alei Nao goes fishing at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Nicely done by Nao! Azmatullah Omarzai angles it on the leg stump line, on a fuller length, Alei Nao clips it with soft hands towards the vacant deep fine region for a boundary.

Angling in, on a back of a length, on middle and leg, Alei Nao gets beaten for pace as the ball thuds his thigh pad.

Bangs it away on a hard length, around off, Kipling Doriga steers it down to deep third for a single.

Alei Nao is in at number 9.

OUT! RUN OUT! Oh, no! So unfortunate for Norman Vanua and Papua New Guinea. Azmatullah Omarzai serves it on a hard length, on middle, Norman Vanua punches it with a straight bat and times it well in front of mid on. Norman sets off for the single and has to put the after-burners on to make his ground at the bowling end. Rashid Khan swoops in and scores a direct hit at the bowling end. The replays show that Norman tried to plonk the bat in instead of dragging it. The bat gets stuck in the turf and falls of his hand and gets caught short of his crease.

Is that a run out? A direct hit from Rashid Khan at the bowler's end. Norman Vanua's bat gets stuck and doesn't drag, just marginally outside the popping crease at the non-striker's end when the ball hit the stumps. An unfortunate way to get out.

Oh, that kept low! Bowls it on a short of a length, outside off, Kipling Doriga stays leg side of the ball and pushes at it but the ball does not rise at all and scoots under the bat.

Goes straight up but it lands safely! Janat sees the batter advance and bangs it into the deck, on off, Kipling Doriga fetches it from over his head and skies it high in the air. Mohammad Nabi turns around and puts in a chase but the ball evades him. A couple of runs taken.

Angling in, short of a good length, on middle and leg, Kipling Doriga closes the bat face early as he looks to work it away on the leg side. Gets a leading edge that lobs in front of cover.

Pitches it up, full and on middle, Kipling Doriga firms the drive with a straight bat to mid on.

Keeps it on a good length, outside off, Kipling Doriga advances down the track and swings to go through the off side but misses.

Beats the bat straight away! Bowls it in the channel on off, on a length, Kipling Doriga has a waft at it but connects with thin air.

Karim Janat is introduced into the attack now.

A maiden to start with from Omarzai. Hurls it in on a back of a length, outside off, Norman Vanua has a feel for the delivery away from his body as the ball zips past the bat. Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes up in appeal but he is the only one who looks interested.

Beaten! Hits the hard length and it goes away, outside off, Norman Vanua pokes at it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Bends his back and digs it in short, over off and middle, Norman Vanua tries to fetch the pull from over his head but misses as the ball sails over his bat.

This is around the off-stump line, on a short of a good length, Norman Vanua hops back and blocks it out with a straight bat to the left of the bowler.

Lands it on a back of a length, on off, Norman Vanua gets on his toes and defends it solidly on the off side.

Begins from over the wicket and gets a little bit of away movement, in the channel on off, on a good length, left alone by Norman Vanua.

Drinks break! Afghanistan are in complete charge of the proceedings here. Just as a good little partnership was building for Papua New Guinea, they have been pegged back with the run out of Chad Soper. With not much batting left to come, it will be important for the two batters out there in the middle to take it deep. Afghan spinners have not been at their best but will look to step up and wrap up the innings quickly.

A googly, slower through the air, full and outside off, Kipling Doriga draws his front foot ahead and pushes it to point. Halfway done and Papua New Guinea are reeling at 48/6.

Back of a length, outside off, Kipling Doriga hits it past covers off the back foot for a couple of runs.

Norman Vanua comes in at number 8.

OUT! RUN OUT! Massive miscommunication between the two batters and PNG are in an absolute nightmare here! Noor Ahmad comes from across the stumps, and lands it fuller in length, on middle, Chad Soper brings his bat down and knocks it off the inner half of the willow in between mid on and mid-wicket. He first walks a couple of steps ahead looking to sneak a single but retreats a step back and doesn't see and call the non-striker to go back who is already through halfway and even reaches to the striker's end. Seeing his partner reach the striker's end, Chad Soper is stranded in the middle and casually tries to reach to the bowler's end but the fielder at the mid on region, Noor Ahmad moves to his right and picks it up and throws it back to Rashid Khan who clips the bails and Chad Soper is miles out of the crease.

Lands it on the middle, fuller in length again, Chad Soper takes a stride out and blocks it underneath the bat.

Full and just on off. Chad Soper defends it out.

Slides it across off on a fuller length, Chad Soper attempts an expansive cover drive but misses.

Wrong'un, short and on middle, Chad Soper goes deep in the crease and punches it towards the right of the bowler and runs a quick single to end the over.

Another googly on the middle, Chad Soper gets ahead for a defensive stroke but inside edges it towards deep backward square leg for a brace.

Dishes out a quicker one outside off on a fuller length, Chad Soper sits down for a slog sweep but misses.

On the length, a googly onto the pads, Kipling Doriga tucks it across towards mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller in length on the middle, Kipling Doriga goes for a drive through the covers but inside edges it behind square for a couple of runs on the leg side.

Good length, coming in quickly on the pads, Chad Soper tucks it through square leg for a quick single.

Loops it up again, on off, Kipling Doriga gets a good stride in and smothers the spin well as he blocks it out.

Tosses it up, full and around leg, Chad Soper uses his feet and works it to wide long on for a single.

Another appeal for LBW but Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the only one who looks interested. Good length, pitching outside leg, and turning across the right hander, Soper looks to flick it to square leg but is beaten on the inside edge.

Tossed up on the pads, Kipling Doriga gets low and goes for the sweep but misses. It clips the outside half of his front pad and rolls in front of short fine leg. The batters steal a quick leg bye

Fuller in length, pitching outside the leg stump, Kipling Doriga blocks it out.

Good length, on middle, Chad Soper bends low and looks to block but gets and inside edge towards short fine for a single.

Another wrong'un turning on from off on a length, Chad Soper rocks back and nudges it along the ground in between mid on and mid-wicket for a quick single to end the over.

Dishes out the googly but gets the line wrong, on the pads, Chad Soper gets on the back foot but misses the tickle. The ball brushes the pads on the way through to the keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Turning in, on a nagging length, on off, Chad Soper defends it off the back foot on the off side.

Good length, outside off, Chad Soper gets beaten on the inside edge trying to play a horizontal stroke.

FIVE WIDES! Sloppy from the bowler and the keeper as well. Dishes out the googly that turns down the leg side after pitching on middle and leg, Chad Soper misses to tuck it and the ball even evades Rahmanullah Gurbaz and guns down to deep fine.

Oh, extra turn! Pitches it full and on off, turns it away sharply. Chad Soper gets beaten on the outside edge.

Drifts it on off, full in length, Chad Soper waits for it and dabs it firmly in front of point.

Fuller in length, and angling on the middle and off channel, Kipling Doriga pushes it to mid on. End of the mandatory Powerplay and Afghanistan are right on the top of the game.

Angling into the batter again on a length, Kipling Doriga misses to flick it and gets a thud on the front thigh pad.

Kipling Doriga is the new man in.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! 50th T20I wicket for Naveen-ul-Haq! And PNG lose half of their side now. Naveen-ul-Haq steams in and lands it just around the fourth stump line, on a shade fuller length, and angles it a bit into the batter on off and middle. Tony Ura plays down the wrong line and tries to block it out with a defensive shot. The ball holds its line and sneaks past the outside edge and rattles the stumps.

Slower on on a good length, angling into the batter, Chad Soper tucks it to the leg side for a single.

Bouncer around off, Chad Soper misses to upper cut it.

Indecision in the running again! That would have been curtains for Tony Ura had it hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. Good length on offer, on off, Tony Ura hops on the back foot and dabs it solidly towards point. He first hesitates but eventually sets off for a quick single. Ibrahim Zadran picks the ball quickly and hits Tony Ura's right leg who hurries to reach home. Survives a scare.

More like it by Farooqi! Bangs it on a hard length, on the off-stump line, Tony Ura pats it off the back foot in front of point and gets to the other end quickly.

Two leg byes! Fazalhaq Farooqi has been off with his lines this over and seems to be trying a bit too much, instead of keeping it simple. Too straight, on the pads, on a short of a good length, it comes off Ura's pads and dribbles wide of fine leg for a couple of runs.

Serves it on a good length, a hint of inward movement, on off, Chad Soper does not move his feet much and guides it wide of point for a single.

Farooqi switches his angle as he comes from over the wicket and angles it across the right-hander, fuller and around off, Chad Soper goes for the drive but the bat turns in his hand on contact and he miscues the shot to mid on.

Leg bye! Slides on the pads, on a nagging length, Tony Ura fails to tickle it fine with the angle. The ball rolls off his pads on the leg side and the batters scamper across for a leg bye.

Much tighter line from Farooqi, on a hard length, on off and middle, slanting in again, Tony Ura opts to wait on the back foot to defend it with a straight bat. Gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball strikes him high on the back thigh.

FIVE WIDES! Wayward from Fazalhaq Farooqi. At 129 kph from around the wicket but strays it way down leg, on a back of a length, Tony Ura lets it go. The ball keeps going away from the keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz who flings himself to his left but fails to cut it off.

Play and a miss to end the over! Hurls it in the corridor of off, on a good length and it nips away off the deck. Chad Soper fiddles at the delivery away from his body and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pulls the length back and aims it around the off-stump, Chad Soper hangs back in his crease and pushes it along the ground to point.

Goes wide of the crease on the over-the-wicket angle and slants it back in, attacking the stumps, fuller in length, Chad Soper gets right behind the line of the ball and blocks it out.

Goes back to bowling full and in the channel on off, Chad Soper stays leg side of the ball and dabs it square to backward point without much foot movement.

WIDE! This one goes the other way from Naveen-ul-Haq and hits the hard length as well. Gets the line wrong though as this is beyond the tramline on off.

Swinging in sharply back into the right-hander from over the wicket, on a length, on off, Chad Soper covers the line of the ball and just about manages to keep it out.

Chad Soper is in at number 6.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Naveen-ul-Haq gets in on the act now with his first ball. Naveen-ul-Haq charges in from over the wicket and lands it on a length, outside off, Hiri Hiri sees the width on offer and throws his hands at it as he goes for an expansive drive. Gets an inside edge as the ball shapes back in and it drags back onto the stumps. PNG in deep, deep trouble now.

Naveen-ul-Haq replaces Mohammad Nabi.

Dishes it out on a fullish length, shaping in, on off, Tony Ura jams it out safely to the off side.

Pulls the length back and gets a bit of extra bounce, on off, Tony Ura does well to ride the bounce and keeps it out down the deck.

Goes wide of the crease on the around-the-wicket angle and hoops it back in, on a short of a good length, on off, Hiri Hiri goes for the big booming drive but toe-ends his shot to the left of backward point for one.

FOUR LEG BYES! Farooqi tries a bit too hard on the hat-trick ball and gets it wrong. Goes searching for the magical delivery but strays on the pads, on a good length, Hiri Hiri is beaten for pace as he tries to tickle it fine and gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball brushes his pads and races down to fine leg for a boundary.

Hiri Hiri is in at number 5 for PNG and will face Fazalhaq Farooqi who is on a Hat-Trick.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Two in two for Fazalhaq Farooqi! Papua New Guinea have been rocked early. Fazalhaq Farooqi stays over the wicket for the left-hander and gets the ball to tail back in sharply, on a nagging length, on middle and leg, Sese Bau tries to cover the line of the ball but the ball nips back in sharply off the deck and catches the inside edge. It brushes the back thigh pad on the way through and it is pouched safely by Rahmanullah Gurbaz diving away to his right again. Hat-trick ball coming up.

Sese Bau is in at number 4.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the thick of action again! A golden duck for Lega Siaka. Farooqi steams in from over the wicket and angles away, on a hard length, on the off-stump line, Lega Siaka pokes at the delivery and the ball kicks off the deck as it catches the shoulder of the bat. It flies to the right of the keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz who dives to that side and takes a fine catch.

Floats it up, full and on middle, Tony Ura works it off the front foot to mid-wicket.

Lega Siaka is in at number 3.

OUT! RUN OUT! Casual running from the Papua New Guinea skipper and he pays the ultimate price. Nabi serves it short in length and gets a hint of away turn, on off, Assad Vala plays it with the turn as he stands tall and punches it wide of point for a couple of runs. The batters think about the third run and they do cross over. Fazalhaq Farooqi gives it a chase and fires a throw back in towards the keeper. Rahmanullah Gurbaz collects it neatly and is aware that Vala is struggling to make his ground at the bowling end. Gurbaz turns around and hits the stumps at the bowling end. The replays show that Vala did not drag his bat inside the crease but instead, chose to plonk it. The bat was in the air when the stumps were disturbed and he will have to make the long walk back.

Is that out? A bit of a lazy running there from the PNG's skipper Assad Vala. A direct hit from Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the non-striker's end. Assad Vala casually ran for the third run and didn't slide in the bat to complete the run. The TV Umpire confirms that Vala's bat was marginally in the air when the ball hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. OUT.

Utter confusion but Papua New Guinea get away with it. Fires it in does Nabi, fuller in length, on middle and leg, Tony Ura jams it out as he gets his bat down in time. Gets an inside edge that rolls to short fine leg and Vala calls him Ura through for the run. Ura is caught ball-watching and he is late to set off the blocks but eventually makes his ground at the bowling end.

Quick single taken and Assad Vala is off the mark. Comes from around the wicket for the left-hander and delivers it on a nagging length, Assad Vala drops it with soft hands in front of cover and gets to the other end.

Direct hit and Tony Ura was gone there. Slows it up nicely and bowls it shorter as well, on off and middle, Tony Ura shapes up to go big on the off side but the ball grips in the surface and takes off a bit as well. Ura inside edges it wide of mid-wicket and the batters steal a quick single.

FOUR! Tony Ura with the first boundary for Papua New Guinea. Gets the ball to drift away does Nabi, on a nagging length, outside off, Tony Ura rocks back and cuts it nicely through cover-point for a boundary.

Spin early on as the 'Professor' Mohammad Nabi will bowl the second over.

Pitches it right up to the batter and offers a bit of width on off, Tony Ura frees his arms and cracks the drive along the carpet to deep backward point for a single. A quiet first over from Farooqi.

Hits the hard length, on middle, Tony Ura hops back and stabs it down the deck with a straight bat.

Gets a good inward shape, on a good length, on middle, Tony Ura accounts for the inward movement, gets on the front foot and defends it solidly off the front foot.

Drags the length back and angles it across the batter, outside off, Tony Ura sways away from the line of the ball and lets the ball go through to the keeper.

On target again is Fazalhaq Farooqi but Papua New Guinea have their first runs. Shaping in, full and attacking the stumps, on middle and leg, Tony Ura uses the swing well and clips it through square leg for a couple of runs.

Charges in from over the wicket and gets the yorker right in first up, in search of swing, around off, Tony Ura digs it out off the toe-end of the bat towards cover. Ura wants a single but gets sent back by his partner.

Done with the pre-match formalities and it is now time for the real action to get underway at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba. The two Umpires are already out in the middle and the players of Afghanistan are scattering throughout the field and taking their respective positions. Assad Vala and Tony Ura are the openers for Papua New Guinea with the latter taking the guard. Fazalhaq Farooqi has the new ball and is all in readiness to bowl the first over of the game for Afghanistan. And, here we go...

We are just a few moments away from the start of the match. But before that, the two set of players are getting lined up followed by the match officials for their respective national anthems. It will be Papua New Guinea's first, followed by the national anthem of Afghanistan.

Norman Vanua is in for a flash interview. He says that it is an honour to represent Papua New Guinea and be the leading wicket-taker. States that it is always a good game against Afghanistan and that they have played them in a few T20Is and four-day matches and they are a tough team to beat. Feels that they need to play their best game and follow the processes. Shares that cricket has come a long way in Papua New Guinea and the facilities have improved. Adds that the grounds have gotten better and there is a lot more coverage of the game in the country. Ends by saying that they are taking in the experience of playing in a World Cup and are having fun.

PITCH REPORT - Simon Doull and Daren Ganga are at the 22 yards. Simon Doull says that the weather is quite better and breezy, gusting south-easterly blowing towards the shorter side. Says it is 65 meters and 67 meters on squares and it is 70 meters hit down the ground. Daren Ganga joins and says that along the cracks, the density of the grass has increased and it will get a little more variable pace and bounce from it. Also adds that from what they saw in the previous game played here, you can score once you get going. Daren Ganga says the way Sherfane Rutherford played vertical bat strokes here will also be very crucial for the batters in this game.

The captain of Papua New Guinea, Assad Vala says that he watched the last game played at this venue where the wicket was up and down. Feels that spending time out in the middle will be key for the batters. Shares that they took a few days off and returned to training three days ago. Hopes that his side can put the learnings from the first couple of games into this clash. Ends by informing that they have made one change based on the conditions with Semo Kamea coming in for Charles Amini.

Rashid Khan, the skipper of Afghanistan wins the toss and elects to BOWL first. Says they want to see how the wicket will behave here and they have watched the previous game and that there was a lot of dew as well. Adds it rained heavily and didn't allow them to practice much. Says each game is very important and they are taking each game seriously and ends up informing they are going with the same side.

Papua New Guinea (Playing XI) - Tony Ura, Assad Vala (C), Lega Siaka, Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri, Chad Soper, Kipling Doriga (WK), Norman Vanua, Alei Nao, John Kariko, Semo Kamea (In for Charles Amini).

Afghanistan (Unchanged Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

TOSS - The coin toss lands in the favour of Afghanistan and they have opted to BOWL first.

On the other hand, Papua New Guinea have had a tough start to their second Men's T20 World Cup, suffering back-to-back losses. With New Zealand left to play after this clash, they will be aiming to gain valuable experience and put up a strong fight. Much of the run-scoring burden for the Oceania side will rest on the shoulders of Tony Ura, Charles Amini, and captain Assad Vala. Amini will have an equally important role to play with the ball, but the onus will also be on John Kariko, Alei Nao, and Norman Vanua. Afghanistan are riding high on confidence, and it will take a monumental effort from PNG to challenge them. Can PNG pose a strong challenge to Rashid Khan and Co.? Let's find out. Toss and team news coming up in a bit.

Since arriving in the Caribbean, Afghanistan have not put a foot wrong with thumping wins against Uganda and New Zealand that have put them on the verge of qualification. The opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have done the bulk of the scoring for the Asian side so far and have set the game up nicely for the bowlers. With Afghanistan almost certain to progress to the Super 8, the rest of the batting lineup will look to gain confidence and runs ahead of the next round. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan have dealt most of the damage with the ball, and Rashid will be hoping that other bowlers get into the act soon enough. 

Hello and a warm welcome, folks! We are at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad, where Afghanistan will go up against Papua New Guinea. Group C, touted as the 'Group of Death', has lived up to the tag, and the fate of the group might well be sealed at the end of this game. A win for Afghanistan will secure their place in the Super 8 stage, and with the West Indies already through, it will end the qualification hopes of New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda.

... MATCH DAY ...

Afghanistan are absolutely flying in their group and now gear up to take on Papua New Guinea. The Afghans started their campaign with a dominant win against Uganda and then breezed past the Kiwis like it was nothing. The opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran has been sensational, notching up their highest opening partnership in the first game, with Gurbaz emerging as one of the leading run-scorers in the tournament with two brilliant fifties. However, there's a bit of an over-reliance on the openers, and players like Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, and Azmatullah Omarzai need to step up more. Their bowling has been fantastic, with the pacers stealing the show. Fazalhaq Farooqi kicked off the campaign with a magnificent five-wicket haul and followed it up with a four-fer. Naveen-ul-Haq and Omarzai have provided excellent support. As for the spin attack, having the trio of Nabi, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad guarantees a tough challenge for any opposition, especially on these wickets. Not to forget, they also have Mujeeb Ur Rahman in their ranks. A victory here will almost confirm their place in the Super-8 stage, with a game to spare. On the other hand, Papua New Guinea gave a tough fight to the hosts in their first game, making West Indies work hard for their win. However, their follow-up performance was poor, losing to Uganda and further denting their qualification hopes. Batting has been a concern, with heavy reliance on Tony Ura, skipper Assad Vala, and Sese Bau to score the bulk of the runs. They will need a lot more from Hiri Hiri, Charles Amini, and Kipling Doriga to challenge the Afghan attack. The bowling, though, has been impressive, with Alei Nao, Norman Vanua, and Chad Soper all showcasing their skills, almost defending the lowest total in a World Cup game in their last match. John Kariko, Vala, and Amini are consistent spinners who can trouble any batting lineup. As PNG gears up for this crucial clash, they know the stakes are high. A win is essential to keep their tournament hopes alive, while Afghanistan aims to continue their unbeaten streak and secure a spot in the Super-8. The excitement is palpable, will PNG pull off a stunning upset, or will the Afghan dominance continue? Let's find out together.