In a commanding performance, New Zealand thrashed Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 7 wickets in Match 39 of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The match, held at the Brian Lara Stadium on Monday, was a low-scoring affair as PNG crumbled to 78 all out in 19.4 overs. New Zealand comfortably chased down the target with 46 balls to spare.

Lockie Ferguson’s magical performance with the ball

The star of the match was New Zealand’s fast bowler Lockie Fergusonwho delivered a record-breaking performance.

Ferguson took three crucial wickets, dismissing PNG skipper Assad Vala, Charles Amini and Chad Soper, while bowling four consecutive maiden overs. His spell included an unprecedented 24 dot balls, setting a new record for the most dot balls in a T20 World Cup match. This feat surpassed the previous record of 21 dot balls held by Bangladesh pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Ferguson’s remarkable bowling figures of 4-4-0-3 were instrumental in restricting PNG to a meagre total.

Bowlers with the most dot balls in an innings at the T20 World Cup:

1. Lockie Ferguson

• Team: West Indies
• Opponent: Uganda
• Date: June 17, 2024
• Dot Balls: 20

2nd Tanzim Hasan Sakib

• Team: Bangladesh
• Opponent: Nepal
• Date: June 16, 2024
• Dot Balls: 21

3.

Ottneil Baartman

• Team: South Africa
• Opponent: Sri Lanka
• Date: June 3, 2024
• Dot Balls: 20

4. Trent Boult

• Team: New Zealand
• Opponent: Uganda
• Date: June 14, 2024
• Dot Balls: 20

5.

Tim Southee

• Team: New Zealand
• Opponent: Uganda
• Date: June 14, 2024
• Dot Balls: 20