ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Points Table, Most Runs, Most Wickets, after Match 16 NZ vs AFG

New Zealand defeated Afghanistan by 149 runs to become table toppers of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

New Zealand have thrashed Afghanistan by 149 runs at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai to remain unbeaten in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. New Zealand have outclassed Afghanistan in every department. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and invited New Zealand to bat first. New Zealand posted 288 runs on the board after a few hiccups in the middle overs. Rachin Ravindra (32) and Will Young (54) partnership steered Blackcaps to a recovery after losing Devon Conway (20) early. Afghanistan did make a comeback after picking three quick wickets including Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, and Daryl Mitchell.

Captain Tom Latham (68) and Glenn Phillips (71) took the charge after losing 4 wickets in 20 overs. They both added 144 runs for the fifth wicket and put NZ in a comfortable position. Mark Chapman's cameo (25 in 12 balls) played a huge role in giving NZ a par score to defend. Afghanistan couldn’t battle against the New Zealand bowling attack and they kept losing wickets. New Zealand curtailed Afghanistan on just 139 runs to win the game by a huge margin. Mitchell Santner (3/39) and Lockie Ferguson (3/19) finished the game early with a magical bowling spell.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Points Table:

New Zealand are now top of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 points table with four consecutive wins in their four league games so far. New Zealand and India are the only two teams to remain unbeaten in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 so far. New Zealand with 8 points in 4 games are number one on the table with 8 points and their net run rate has now jumped up to +1.923.

Afghanistan have been shifted down to the 9th position after a big loss in Chennai and their net run rate has also gone down to -1.290 in 4 matches. Team India will be playing their next game against Bangladesh at MCA Stadium in Pune on Thursday. India have won three out of three league games in the ongoing World Cup. Sri Lanka are the only team with zero points in the table. 

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Most Runs

It’s a Kiwi domination at the top of every single list this World Cup. Opener Devon Conway is back as the leader of the highest run-scorer chart in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Conway scored just 20 runs against Afghanistan and it was good enough to put him at the top. Conway has 249 runs in 4 innings. Pakistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan is 2nd with 248 runs in 3 innings. South African wicket-keeper Quinton De Kock is 3rd in this list with 229 runs in  3 innings. Indian captain Rohit Sharma is also among the top 5 and he is 4th in this list with 217 runs. Rachin Ravindra is 5th with 215 Runs in 4 innings. 

Top 5 leading run-scorer in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023  

1 . Devon Conway (New Zealand) - 249 Runs 

2. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) - 248 Runs 

3. Quinton De Kock (South Africa) - 229 Runs 

4. Rohit Sharma (India) - 217 Runs 

5. Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) - 215 Runs 

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Most Wickets 

Just like in the points table, leading run-scorers table, New Zealander is leading most wickets chart as well. New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner is leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets in 4 games. Santner bowled brilliantly and picked up 3 wickets against Afghanistan. Matt Henry is at second position on the list with 9 wickets in 4 games. Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is 3rd in this list with 8 wickets in 3 games. Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali is 4th with 7 wickets in 3 games. South African pacer Kagiso Rabada is 5th in the leading wicket-takers list with 7 wickets in 3 games. 

Top 5 leading wicket-takers in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 

1. Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) - 11 Wickets 

2. Matt Henry (New Zealand) - 9 Wickets 

3. Jasprit Bumrah (India) - 8 Wickets 

4. Hasan Ali (Pakistan) - 7 Wickets 

5. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) - 7 Wickets