Afghanistan has pulled off a sensational victory over Australia in a thrilling T20 World Cup match at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent, turning the tables on a team that had previously crushed their hopes in Mumbai. This win not only disrupted the dynamics of Group qualification for the semifinals but also provided Afghanistan with a much-needed boost of confidence and validation on the world stage.
Match Highlights:
- Glenn Maxwell’s Effort: Glenn Maxwell, who had been the hero for Australia in their Mumbai clash against Afghanistan, was again in formidable form, playing a lone hand as Australia chased a target of 149. He scored a brisk half-century, keeping Australian hopes alive.
- Afghan Resilience: Unlike their previous encounter, Afghanistan managed to keep their composure and focus under pressure. Maxwell’s dismissal, caught brilliantly by Noor Ahmad, was a pivotal moment that shifted the momentum back in Afghanistan’s favor.
- Outstanding Performances:
- Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Both played crucial innings, with Gurbaz’s aggressive batting and spirited interactions with Marcus Stoinis adding to the match’s intensity.
- Naveen-ul-Haq and Gulbadin Naib: Naveen’s fiery opening spell and Naib’s crucial wickets, including that of Maxwell, were instrumental in Afghanistan’s victory.
Key Moments:
- Maxwell’s Dismissal: The turning point came when Maxwell edged a ball to short third-man, where Noor Ahmad took a spectacular catch, ending Maxwell’s dangerous innings.
- Afghan Fielding and Bowling: Afghanistan’s disciplined fielding and strategic bowling changes, orchestrated by Rashid Khan, ensured they maintained control despite Australia’s efforts.
- Gurbaz vs. Stoinis: The verbal exchanges and competitive spirit between Gurbaz and Stoinis epitomized the high stakes and emotional intensity of the match.
Post-Match Reflections:
- Rashid Khan’s Relief: Post-match, Afghan captain Rashid Khan expressed immense relief and joy, contrasting this victory with the sleepless night following their close loss in Mumbai. He highlighted the significance of this win not just for the team but for the entire nation.
- Dwayne Bravo’s Influence: The presence and guidance of assistant coach Dwayne Bravo, who provided critical reminders and strategies to the players, were acknowledged as crucial to maintaining the team’s focus and execution under pressure.
Broader Implications:
- Afghanistan’s Rise: This victory is a testament to Afghanistan’s growing prowess in international cricket. It signifies their ability to compete and succeed against top-tier teams on the biggest stages.
- Political and Social Context: Rashid Khan touched on the broader implications of cricket for Afghanistan, emphasizing the sport’s role in bringing happiness and unity to a nation often fraught with political and social challenges.
Afghanistan’s win over Australia in St Vincent is more than just a cricketing triumph; it’s a narrative of resilience, growth, and hope. The team’s ability to script a different ending to what seemed like a recurring heartbreak scenario speaks volumes about their development and determination. This victory will be celebrated not only for its immediate impact on the T20 World Cup but also for its broader significance in the journey of Afghan cricket and its role in uplifting the spirits of a nation.
Afghanistan Inning – 148/6 (20)
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz(wk) c D Warner b M Stoinis | 60 | 49 | 4 | 4 | 122.45 |
| Ibrahim Zadran c M Marsh b A Zampa | 51 | 48 | 6 | 0 | 106.25 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai b A Zampa | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Karim Janat c TH David b P Cummins | 13 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 144.44 |
| Rashid Khan(c) c TH David b P Cummins | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi Not out | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 250.00 |
| Gulbadin Naib c G Maxwell b P Cummins | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Nangeyalia kharote Not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| DID NOT BAT: Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi | |||||
| EXTRA( B – 4, W – 4, NO – 0, LB – 1, P – 0 ) | 9 | ||||
| TOTAL( 7.40 RUNS PER OVER ) | 148 (6 Wkts, 20 Ov) | ||||
FALL OF WICKETS
118-1 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 15.5), 121-2 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 16.3), 122-3 (Ibrahim Zadran, 16.6), 126-4 (Rashid Khan, 17.6), 141-5 (Karim Janat, 19.1), 141-6 (Gulbadin Naib, 19.2)
| Bowler | Ov | M | R | W | NB | WD | Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Agar | 4 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.25 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 4 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9.75 |
| Pat Cummins | 4 | 0 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7.00 |
| Adam Zampa | 4 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7.00 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6.00 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 2 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9.50 |
Australia Inning – 127/10 (19.2)
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Head b N Haq | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| David Warner c N Ahmad b M Nabi | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 37.50 |
| Mitchell Marsh(c) c M Nabi b N Haq | 12 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Glenn Maxwell c N Ahmad b G Naib | 59 | 41 | 6 | 3 | 143.90 |
| Marcus Stoinis c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b G Naib | 11 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 64.71 |
| Tim David lbw b G Naib | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Matthew Wade(wk) c K Janat b R Khan | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.43 |
| Pat Cummins b G Naib | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Ashton Agar c G Naib b N Haq | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Adam Zampa c M Nabi b A Omarzai | 9 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 128.57 |
| Josh Hazlewood Not out | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.43 |
| EXTRA( B – 2, W – 7, NO – 1, LB – 6, P – 0 ) | 16 | ||||
| TOTAL( 6.57 RUNS PER OVER ) | 127 (10 Wkts, 19.2 Ov) | ||||
FALL OF WICKETS
0-1 (Travis Head, 0.3), 16-2 (Mitchell Marsh, 2.3), 32-3 (David Warner, 5.1), 71-4 (Marcus Stoinis, 10.3), 85-5 (Tim David, 12.2), 106-6 (Glenn Maxwell, 14.4), 108-7 (Matthew Wade, 15.1), 111-8 (Pat Cummins, 16.3), 113-9 (Ashton Agar, 17.2), 127-10 (Adam Zampa, 19.2)
| Bowler | Ov | M | R | W | NB | WD | Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naveen-ul-Haq | 4 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 3 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7.00 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 1.2 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7.50 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
| Nangeyalia kharote | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13.00 |
| Rashid Khan(c) | 4 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5.75 |
| Noor Ahmad | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11.00 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 4 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5.00 |
INFO
SERIES : ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
DATE & TIME : 23 Jun 2024, Sun, 6:00 AM IST
TOSS : Australia elected to bowl
VENUE : Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent
UMPIRES : Ahsan Raza (Pakistan), Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka), Richard Illingworth (England, TV)
MATCH REFEREE : Jeff Crowe (New Zealand)
