Afghanistan stuns Australia, eyes semi-finalist spot

Gulbadin Naib is carried on his shoulders by Afghanistan’s Bowling Coach Hamid Hasan after taking 4/20    

Afghanistan came close twice - in 2022 and 2023 - but it was third time luck when they got their big moment under the dazzling lights of the Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent on Sunday downing World Cup royalty Australia by 21 runs with an outstanding all-round performance in a T20 World Cup Super 8s match.

This win for the ages was set up by a third century stand of the tournament (118) between openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (60 off 49 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes) and Ibrahim Zadran (51 off 48 balls, 6 fours), but the biggest twist came from veteran Gulbadin Naib, who returned figures of 4 for 20 in the defence of 148. Among his scalps was Glenn Maxwell, who was the only Australian standing between Afghanistan and arguably their greatest win in T20 World Cup history. Maxwell scored 59 off 41 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) when he was caught brilliantly at point by Noor Ahmed off Naib. With his departure Australia’s hopes of mounting a challenge disappeared as the Afghans were all over them.

At the 15-over mark, Afghanistan were 109/0 while Australia were tottering at 108/6. Afghanistan lost their way at the death on what was a tricky, tacky surface but were able to exact a similar collapse (7 for 56) off their vaunted opposition, with Maxwell’s dismissal in the 15th over turning the course of the game.

Australia quick Pat Cummins created history when he became the first player to register a hat-trick in consecutive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches. Cummins registered a hat-trick over two overs against Bangladesh on Thursday and the right-armer completed the feat once again against Afghanistan when he had Rashid Khan, Karim Janat and Gulbadin Naib dismissed with three consecutive deliveries.

Afghanistan’s final Super 8 game is against Bangladesh who are without a win, while Australia confront group leaders India.

Scores: 

Afghanistan 148-6 (20) (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 60, Ibrahim Zadran 51, Pat Cummins 3/28, Adam Zampa 2/28)

Australia 127 (19.2) (Glenn Maxwell 59, Naveen-ul-Haq 3/20, Gulbadin Naib 4/20)