Afghanistan caused one of the greatest surprises in T20 World Cup history when they defeated Australia, sparking one of the greatest comebacks ever seen at any tournament. Their victory kept alive Afghanistan’s hopes for qualifying for the semi-finals while making India’s match with them an absolutely must-win situation.
Gulbadin Naib stole the show as he captured four wickets and took an amazing diving catch to send back Glenn Maxwell. Leg-spinner Mohammad Nabi also took one wicket. In this article, we will discuss about the matches of Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
Scorecard
On Saturday night, Afghanistan caused one of the greatest surprises in recent men’s cricket history by stunning Australia in a world cup match. Not only was this an enormous win for Afghanistan, but also represented an important sign that its nation was slowly emerging from decades-long shadow. Contrasting Afghanistan’s worsening economic, humanitarian, and human rights crises with this victory was its symbolic significance as it demonstrated growing capabilities among Afghan team consisting of refugees as well as citizens from countries boycotting due to Taliban rule.
Afghanistan now sits second in their group behind India and have taken another step closer to reaching the semi-finals, but their victory also serves as a reminder of just how far Afghanistan still needs to come in order to make up for years of political unrest and instability that have caused havoc with their sport.
Gulbadin Naib orchestrated an exciting finish as he tore through Australia’s batting order to help his side claim victory in an ODI world cup tie between Australia and Pakistan on Monday, striking six sixes for an innings of 59 in an innings against Naib’s slower balls and clever bowling that ultimately proved too much for Kangaroos batsman Glenn Maxwell to repeat.
At Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent, both teams know this match is crucial to their respective campaigns. Afghanistan must secure victory to maintain hopes of making the semi-finals while Australia will look to finish in the top two and avoid an early exit from Group Stage play. It promises to be an intense encounter! This Twenty20 World Cup encounter between these two rivals promises an entertaining contest and should make for a spectacular spectacle!
Toss
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and decided to bowl first after winning it. Although Australia are an impressive team, Afghanistan have shown they can cause upsets – they beat Bangladesh and drew with Canada in one ODI while also showing strong performances against Scotland and Pakistan in T20 competition.
Naveen ul-Haq (3-20) set Australia back early in their run chase against Afghanistan, taking out both Travis Head and Mitch Marsh early to leave them vulnerable. But Glenn Maxwell showed why he is considered one of the premier cricket players around by hitting an impressive half century in just 35 balls with fours off Azmatullah Omarzai that gave their home crowd something to cheer about.
Australia’s win solidified Australia’s place at the top of international cricket rankings, while Afghanistan remained in middle order – though with potential for growth. Cricket experts praised Australia’s disciplined approach and the outstanding performances by Pat Cummins and Steve Smith. Captain Rashid Khan expressed hope that Australia’s victory would give Afghan people hope; an outstanding feat considering they only formed their national team 10 years ago!
Afghans took to the streets in celebration of Afghanistan’s historic win against Pakistan in cricket, dancing in the streets and waving flags in Khost capital city. Cricket fans worldwide rejoiced with each celebration where players from both teams offered their congratulations in between performances.
First Innings
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran made a cautious start as Australian bowlers attempted to pressure them early. Nonetheless, both openers stuck at it through 21 dot balls between them and eventually Marcus Stoinis gave Australia their breakthrough by dismissing Gurbaz with a straight drive towards short third man in the 16th over.
Gulbadin Naib (4-20) struck twice in the following over to turn the tide of Australian innings against them. Glenn Maxwell (59) tried hard to regain form but could make little headway against Gulbadin Naib and Gulbadin Zabbar’s fast bowling duo, who dominated powerplay play.
As Australia struggled with their fielding and batting, their fielders and batsmen eventually fell apart; ultimately their effort was derailed by Mitchell Marsh’s injury after taking a run-out; having taken this hit, Marsh fell backwards off the pitch clutching his hamstring before Afghanistan coach and former England batsman Jonathan Trott signalled to umpires to call time on play and signal him off immediately.
Australia captain Marsh was then dismissed by the pitch doctor after trying to recover, yet his side were unable to move the ball away and found themselves reduced to 12-5 with roughly 20 overs remaining in play.
Pat Cummins made history, becoming the first bowler ever to complete two T20 World Cup hat-tricks back-to-back matches and become the first bowler ever to claim two consecutive hat-tricks, as the Australian seam attack put pressure on Afghan batters. Agar induced some turn and bounce with his first delivery that beat Gurbaz for an inside edge four off Agar’s first delivery; Hazlewood then hit an unexpected six down the ground through long-on. Agar and Zampa then combined forces in the final over, dismissing both Omarzai (2 off 2) as well as Zadran (whom Agar had removed earlier) out for just 6 runs off 2 deliveries!
Second Innings
Gulbadin Naib shone brightest as Afghanistan made history against Australia with a 21-run win at Kingstown’s Arnos Vale Ground. Naib’s four wickets helped Afghanistan bowl Australia out for just 127 in 19.2 overs, earning him Player of the Match honors as well.
Afghanistan openers Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put up an excellent opening partnership of 118 runs that helped set the platform for them to unsettle Australia, world champion opponents. Their percentage shots paid dividends as Australia missed many chances; Zampa dropped an easy chance in the outfield on the fifth ball of Naib’s third over, while Stoinis failed to catch one return catch from Zampa’s over.
After an initial period of stability, Australia soon started to slip. Rohit Sharma was caught at slip off the first ball of Naib’s fourth over and David Warner was out lbw to him with the sixth over. Australia’s batsmen struggled with spinners’ intelligent variations and could not find their rhythm; neither did Rohit Sharma find his groove.
Australia’s top order struggled, while their tail offered some resistance. Glenn Maxwell hit two fours off Omarzai before slamming one over midwicket against Naib’s rookie left-arm spinner; Naib eventually got rid of Maxwell after four overs; that roar could be heard all the way in Kabul!
As Australia unraveled, Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq were on hand to ensure Afghanistan secured their maiden win against Australia at this World Cup. With this success comes hope of semi-final contention but this requires them to defeat India at Gros Islet on Tuesday first.
Final Innings
Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan overcame all odds to notch its first ever win against Australia National Cricket Team at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown. Although they lost the toss, Afghanistan posted an impressive total of 148/6; Rahmanullah Gurbaz (60) and Ibrahim Zadran (51) were instrumental in setting their side’s total. No other batsman passed 15 runs before Pat Cummins completed an amazing hat-trick by bowling Rahmanullah Gurbaz (2 off 1) Karim Janat (13) Gulbadin Naib (2 off 5). Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis also claimed wickets each.
Glenn Maxwell had threatened to take control of the game from Afghanistan but Noor Ahmad’s outstanding low catch put an end to his brilliant innings of 59 off 41 balls – and proved decisive in determining victory or defeat for Australia.
During their chase, Australia’s batting struggled to find their way out of an impossible situation and their middle order collapsed quickly as Afghan pacers easily broke through their defenses.
Australia was eventually bowled out for just 127 runs after just 19.2 overs. This was a devastating loss for their semi-final hopes and represented one more setback on their journey towards an unexpected semi-final appearance.
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