New Zealand concluded their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 group stage with a decisive victory over Papua New Guinea in Trinidad. Lockie Ferguson's exceptional bowling performance played a pivotal role in securing the win, as he set a record for the most economical figures in T20 Internationals by bowling four maidens and taking 3 wickets for 0 runs.


**Historic Bowling Performance**


Ferguson’s feat of four consecutive maiden overs marked only the second instance in men’s T20 Internationals where a bowler has bowled four overs without conceding a run, following Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar's 2/0 against Panama in 2021. Ferguson’s three wickets strangled Papua New Guinea's batting lineup, restricting them to a meager 78 runs in 19.4 overs.


**Match Summary**


After a rain delay, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first. Trent Boult, playing his final T20 World Cup match, and Tim Southee provided a strong start, with Southee dismissing Tony Ura for 1 in the second over. Ferguson quickly made his mark by removing PNG captain Assad Vala for 6 with his first ball, leaving PNG struggling at 16/2 after the powerplay.



Ferguson's dominance continued as he disrupted a budding partnership between Charles Amini (17) and Sese Bau (12), ending his spell with a historic third wicket-maiden. Boult and Southee also contributed significantly, with Boult taking 2/15 and Southee 2/11. Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner added to PNG’s woes with two and one wicket, respectively.


**New Zealand’s Chase**


Chasing 79 for victory, New Zealand faced early setbacks with Finn Allen (0) and Rachin Ravindra (6) falling cheaply to Kabua Morea, who delivered an impressive spell of 2/4. Devon Conway steadied the innings with 35 runs from 32 balls, supported by Kane Williamson (18*) and Daryl Mitchell (19*), who saw New Zealand home with 46 balls remaining.


Semo Kamea managed to trap Conway lbw, but New Zealand's depth in batting ensured they comfortably achieved the target. 


**Tournament Outcome**


Both New Zealand and Papua New Guinea ended their tournament journeys after this match, failing to progress from Group C. While PNG’s exit was expected, New Zealand’s early departure was a surprise, given their fifth-place ranking at the tournament's start. Losses to Afghanistan and the West Indies sealed their fate in what turned out to be a disappointing campaign for the Black Caps.