Sudhanshu Shekhar
In a dramatic T20 World Cup match, Afghanistan pulled off a stunning upset by defeating previously unbeaten Australia by 21 runs in a gripping contest at Kingstown, St. Vincent. After being put in to bat first, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 148-6 on a challenging pitch at Arnos Vale Ground.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (60 off 49 balls) and Ibrahim Zadran (51 off 48 balls) set the stage with a commanding 118-run opening partnership, the highest against Australia in T20 internationals. Despite a late resurgence from Australia’s bowlers, including Pat Cummins’ second career hat-trick, Afghanistan managed a formidable score.
Australia’s reply faltered early with the loss of Travis Head on the third ball of the innings. Despite Glenn Maxwell’s valiant 59 off 41 balls, the Australian batting struggled against Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack and the turning pitch. Gulbadin Naib starred with the ball, claiming four crucial wickets to derail Australia’s chase.
Captain Rashid Khan hailed the victory as monumental for Afghanistan, describing it as a proud moment for the nation. “It’s a massive win for us as a team and as a nation in the World Cup beating (the) champions,” Rashid emphasized.
The result leaves Afghanistan tied with Australia on points in Group 1, albeit behind on net run rate. India leads the group with four points, while Bangladesh remains in contention despite their two losses.
Looking ahead, Afghanistan faces Bangladesh in their final group match, while Australia takes on India. The outcome of these matches will determine the semifinalists.
With standout performances and a historic win against the reigning champions, Afghanistan’s journey in the T20 World Cup continues to captivate fans and elevate the team’s stature on the global stage.
Image source: Internet
Disclaimer: Educational purpose blog with no commercial use intended.
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