In a surprising turn of events during the World Cup 2023 clash between New Zealand and Afghanistan, the Kiwi camp suffered a double setback as Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham, two of their key batters, fell in quick succession. The Afghan bowler, Naveen-ul-Haq, became the architect of New Zealand’s misfortune, delivering crucial blows that left the Kiwi fans in disbelief.
The first wicket to fall was that of Glenn Phillips, who had been instrumental in New Zealand’s batting lineup. Phillips, known for his explosive style of play, had amassed a valuable fifty, showcasing his prowess as one of New Zealand’s most underrated utility players. However, in a surprising turn, Phillips fell victim to a wide full toss from Naveen-ul-Haq. Attempting a big heave, Phillips scuffed the shot straight towards long-off, where Rashid Khan, the Afghan fielder, made no mistake. This rare catch for Afghanistan came as a breath of fresh air, especially considering Rashid Khan had a few dropped catches off his bowling earlier in the game. Phillips departed for a commendable 71 runs, including four boundaries and four sixes, marking the end of his impactful innings.
The disappointment for New Zealand didn’t end there. Just two balls later, their skipper, Tom Latham, met a similar fate. Latham, who had been looking in fine form, attempted a ramp shot, hoping to add more runs to the scoreboard. However, he misjudged the delivery as Naveen-ul-Haq cleverly varied his pace and length. The ball sneaked past Latham’s bat, crashing into the off stump and dislodging the bails. Latham’s departure marked the end of an impressive innings where he scored 68 runs, including three boundaries and two sixes.
The back-to-back dismissals of Phillips and Latham served as a turning point in the match, tilting the balance in Afghanistan’s favor.
