The victory gave India an unassailable 3–0 lead in the five match series and underlined their growing dominance ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Playing at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, India produced a complete performance with both bat and ball. The bowlers laid the foundation before the batters delivered one of the fastest chases seen on Indian soil in recent years.

New Zealand were put under pressure early after India chose to field first on a pitch expected to favour batting. The visitors never fully recovered from early losses and were restricted to a modest total of 153 for nine in their allotted overs.

Jasprit Bumrah spearheaded the bowling effort with clinical precision and pace. He finished with outstanding figures, repeatedly breaking partnerships and denying New Zealand any chance of building momentum.

The early breakthrough came when Devon Conway was removed by a sharp catch, followed by the quick dismissal of Rachin Ravindra.
New Zealand slumped early as disciplined bowling and sharp fielding combined to leave them chasing the game from the outset.

Bumrah’s opening spell further dented the visitors as key batters failed to handle his movement and accuracy.
The fall of Tim Seifert and later the New Zealand captain ensured the innings never gained stability.

A brief resistance came through Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman, who attempted to rebuild with a controlled partnership.
However, their efforts were halted by spin, restoring India’s grip on the match during the middle overs.

Despite a late push, New Zealand could not push the total beyond a challenging score. On a ground known for high scoring games, the target looked well below par given India’s batting depth and intent.

India’s chase began with aggression despite an early wicket. Abhishek Sharma announced his intent immediately, striking boundaries at will and dismantling the New Zealand bowling attack.

His unbeaten knock of 68 came off just 20 deliveries and included a flurry of towering sixes. The innings featured a record breaking half century that showcased fearless stroke play and exceptional timing.

Abhishek found strong support from captain Suryakumar Yadav, who continued his remarkable run of form in the series. The pair combined effortlessly, turning the chase into a one sided contest within a few overs.

India raced to fifty in no time and reached triple figures before New Zealand could regroup.
The required rate became irrelevant as the crowd witnessed a masterclass in modern T20 batting.

Suryakumar’s composed yet explosive knock ensured there were no late stumbles. India crossed the finish line in just ten overs, underlining the gulf between the two sides on the night.

The result highlights India’s depth, confidence, and adaptability in the shortest format. With key players peaking at the right time, the team looks well prepared for the global challenge ahead.

New Zealand, meanwhile, will look to regroup and salvage pride in the remaining matches. The next fixture offers them a chance to test their bench strength and experiment with combinations.

The fourth match of the series is scheduled to be played in Visakhapatnam. Fans will be eager to see whether India continue their dominant run or if New Zealand can stage a comeback.

According to an official statement released by the ACB on Saturday, the players were “targeted during a gathering” in Urgun district after returning from a friendly cricket match in Sharana, the provincial capital of Paktika. Local officials reported that the strike killed at least ten people who were at a residence during the attack.

ACB spokesperson Said Nasim Sadat identified the deceased players as Kabeer Agha Argon, Sibghatullah Zirok, and Haroon — the latter known by a single name, as is common in Afghanistan. The board described the deaths as a “heartbreaking loss” for Afghan cricket and stated that withdrawing from the tri-series was both a symbolic and respectful response to the tragedy.

“The ACB considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family,” the board said. “In response to this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) expressed its condolences and condemned the violence, stating that it was “deeply saddened and appalled by the tragic deaths of three young and promising Afghan cricketers.” The ICC further emphasized that “acts of violence rob families, communities, and the cricketing world of bright talents whose only ambition was to play the sport they loved.”

Fellow Afghan cricketer Saifullah Khan, who visited the injured players in the hospital, spoke to reporters and called for peace. “We are athletes and ambassadors of peace,” he said. “We don’t want there to be any more bombings or killings like this.”

Funeral prayers for the players were held in Paktika on Saturday, drawing several thousand mourners. People gathered in open fields as local clerics led prayers and delivered messages of solidarity and condemnation over the incident.

Afghanistan’s cricket captain Rashid Khan and the Afghanistan Sports Journalists Federation both supported the ACB’s decision to withdraw from the tournament. The journalists’ federation issued a statement denouncing the strike as “a violation of humanitarian and international norms” and urged all parties to protect civilians and athletes from conflict-related harm.

The tri-nation T20 series, originally scheduled for November 17–29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, was set to feature Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka as part of the teams’ preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Following Afghanistan’s withdrawal, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Zimbabwe would replace Afghanistan in the tournament lineup.

“The PCB respects the decision of the Afghanistan Cricket Board and extends its sympathies to the Afghan cricketing community,” the board said in a brief statement. It added that Zimbabwe Cricket had agreed to participate in the event on short notice to ensure that the tournament proceeds as planned.

Pakistan and Afghanistan had recently faced each other in a similar three-nation tournament held in the United Arab Emirates in September, where Pakistan defeated Afghanistan in the final. The series was seen as part of ongoing efforts to promote regional cricket cooperation despite political and security challenges in South Asia.

While the withdrawal has disrupted Afghanistan’s competitive schedule ahead of the World Cup, the ACB stated that its priority at the moment is honoring the memory of the deceased players and supporting their families. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the safety of athletes in conflict zones and the importance of shielding sports from geopolitical tensions.

The ACB concluded its statement with a call for unity: “Our players represent hope, peace, and resilience. Their dreams should never be silenced by violence. Afghanistan cricket stands with the families of the victims and the spirit of sportsmanship that binds nations together.”