The New Zealand batters commenced their innings with a sluggish start, losing Devon Conway’s wicket early on. Subsequently, Will Young and Rachin Ravindra combined forces, amassing 79 runs before both fell in the same over, leaving New Zealand in a precarious position at 110/4.
With more than half the innings yet to unfold, the onus of setting a competitive target rested on the shoulders of skipper Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips. The Afghan bowlers, eager to break this 75-run partnership, created opportunities but were thwarted by dropped catches.
In the midst of these developments, the esteemed Afghan spinner Rashid Khan sought to calm his nerves by tapping into his inner skills. Rashid Khan, in the ninth over of his spell, conceded a mere six runs.
Though he didn’t manage to secure a wicket, he seemed somewhat anxious. To alleviate his tension, the 25-year-old exhibited remarkable football skills, showcasing some impressive kick-ups with the Kookaburra ball after delivering the fourth ball of the over.
In a quirky move, he even declined to pick up the ball from the ground following his antics, choosing instead to stride back to his mark for the next delivery.