New Zealand secured a commanding first win of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (WC) by thrashing Uganda at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. The match, held on Friday, saw New Zealand’s bowlers wreak havoc on Uganda’s batting lineup, setting the stage for a straightforward chase.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, New Zealand’s decision paid off handsomely as left-arm paceman Trent Boult struck early, claiming two crucial wickets in the very first over.
His exceptional spell of 2/7 set the tone for what was to follow. The rest of the bowling unit capitalized on Uganda’s struggles, with Tim Southee (3/4), Rachin Ravindra (2/9), and Mitchell Santner (2/8) all contributing significantly to restrict Uganda to a paltry total of 40 runs in just under 17 overs.
Facing a modest target, New Zealand’s batsmen made quick work of the chase. Devon Conway, playing with assurance, remained unbeaten on 22 as the Kiwis achieved victory in just the sixth over of their innings, losing only one wicket in the process.
This emphatic win not only marked New Zealand’s first triumph in the tournament but also elevated them to third place in Group C standings. Despite their convincing performance, their chances of progressing to the Super Eights were dashed, with Afghanistan and West Indies already securing spots from the group.
For Uganda, the match concluded their campaign in the tournament on a disappointing note. Although they had shown promise earlier with a victory over Papua New Guinea, they struggled to replicate that form against the strong New Zealand side.
Looking ahead, New Zealand will aim to build on this momentum as they prepare for future fixtures. Their clinical performance against Uganda highlighted their depth in bowling and batting, with players like Boult, Southee, and Conway standing out for their contributions.
As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters and standout performances from teams across the globe. Stay tuned for further updates and analysis on the latest in international cricket.
Teams:
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Uganda: Ronak Patel, Simon Ssesazi, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Alpesh Ramjani, Dinesh Nakrani, Kenneth Waiswa, Brian Masaba (c), Fred Achelam (wk), Juma Miyagi, Cosmas Kyewuta