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New Zealand ended their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign on a high note with a dominant victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Brian Lara Stadium. The Black Caps successfully chased down a modest target of 79 runs after bowling out PNG for 78❀ in 19.4 overs.
In a match that saw fast bowler Lockie Ferguson enter the record books, New Zealand’s bowlers showcased their prowess. Ferguson bowled four consecutive maiden overs, a rare feat in T20 cricket, and finished with remarkable figures of 4-4-0-3. His exceptional performance dismantled PNG’s batting lineup, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s comprehensive win.
Lockie Ferguson gives PNG a nightmare
Ferguson, coming in as a first-change bowler, followed up the early breakthroughs made by Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Southee and Boult had already decimated PNG’s top order, setting the stage for Ferguson’s heroics. The right-arm pacer dismissed PNG skipper Assad Vala, followed by Charles Amini and Chad Soper, completing a spell of bowling rarely seen in the shortest format of the game. Boult and Southee also made significant contributions, each taking two wickets and applying relentless pressure on PNG’s batsmen.
Chase stumbles but New Zealand prevails
New Zealand’s chase, although small, was not without its challenges. The Kiwis lost Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, and then Devon Conway, who top-scored with 35 runs. Despite these setbacks, Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson ensured there were no further hiccups, steering New Zealand to victory with 7 wickets in hand and 46 balls to spare.
Also READ: Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan smashes fastest T20I century and most sixes in an innings
New Zealand finish third in Group C
Both New Zealand and PNG were already out of the Super 8 contention before the start of the match. Afghanistan and West Indies secured the ꦐtwo qualifying spots from Group C. New Zealand ended their campaign in third place with two wins and two defeats.
As the Black Caps reflect on their mixed perfor🥂mance in the tournament, the final match against PNG provided a moment of brilliance, particularly from Ferguson, ensuring they exited the competition with heads held high.
Here’s how fans and cricket experts reacted on X:
Don't think anybody in our life will be able to break this record of Lockie Ferguson.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan)
Even if it's against an associate team, Lockie Ferguson's 4-4-0-3 right up there with Sunil Narine bowling a maiden super over to Pooran and Yuvraj hitting six sixes in an over to Broad in terms of rarity of achievement.
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
LOCKIE FERGUSON BOWLED 4 CONSECUTIVE MAIDENS:
4-4-0-3. 🤯
– FIRST TIME IN HISTORY IT HAS HAPPENED.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
FOUR OVERS FOUR MAIDENS by Lockie Ferguson
The Biggest Anti Academy Spell of All time 🤯🤯
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda)
– 4 OVERS.
– 4 MAIDENS.
– 3 WICKETS.LOCKIE FERGUSON, YOU BEAUTY 🥶
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Most wonderful and Economical spell – Lockie Ferguson 0/3(4), History made today.
— Shivani (ShivkiVani) (@_Shivkivani)
What a spell Lockie Ferguson 👌🙌
— Saif Ali Khan (@synclairsa)
CLINICAL performance 🔥 by Lockie🦋 Ferguson for the New Zeala𝓀nd 🇳🇿 Black Caps against Papua New Guinea! With 3 wickets from 4 maiden overs, Lockie is looking very dangerous coming into Season II 👌 | | |
— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket)
World record by Lockie Ferguson 💥
4 overs
4 Maidens
0 runs
3 WicketsOnly 2nd bowler after Saad Bin Zafar (Canada) to Bow🐭led ℱ4 Maidens in a T20I match
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar)
Lockie F꧒erguson 🔥creates history against Papua New Guinea
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
A dominant victory for the Kiwis 🇳🇿
A magnificent spell from Lockie Ferguson helps New Zealand end their💯 2024 on a winning note 🙌 | 📝:
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup)
