By D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Afghanistan Beats Australia in a stunning T20 World Cup upset, reigniting their semi-final hopes. Gulbadin Naib shines as Afghanistan makes history.
Afghanistan delivered a stunning 21 run victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup Super 8s, reigniting their semi final hopes. On a challenging pitch in St Vincent, Afghanistan posted a respectable 148-6, thanks to a stellar opening partnership of 118 runs between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran.
Australia's chase faltered early, with Afghanistan reducing them to 32-3. Glenn Maxwell’s quickfire 59 off 41 balls gave the 2021 champions a fighting chance, but Gulbadin Naib’s crucial breakthroughs, including the prized wicket of Maxwell, led to Australia’s collapse from 106-6 to 113-9. Afghanistan sealed their first ever win against Australia in any format, with Gulbadin named player of the match."We've been waiting for a long time, it's a great moment for me, my nation, my people," Gulbadin expressed.
Turning Points and Tactical Decisions
The match's first twist came at the toss, with Australia opting to bowl first despite the ground's historical difficulty for chasing teams. Pat Cummins shone with the ball, securing his second hat trick in consecutive games, but Afghanistan's openers had already set a formidable foundation.
Afghanistan’s innings saw Gurbaz and Zadran masterfully navigate tricky early overs before accelerating, relying on quick singles and well timed boundaries. Despite a middle order stumble, their total proved too steep for Australia.
In their reply, Australia struggled from the outset. Naveen ul Haq dismissed Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh early. David Warner’s departure in the powerplay further tilted the game in Afghanistan’s favor. Maxwell’s explosive innings provided a glimmer of hope, but Naib’s spell and his exceptional catch to dismiss Ashton Agar sealed Australia’s fate. Reflecting on the loss, Australian skipper Marsh acknowledged, "We were outplayed tonight. I don't think it was won or lost at the toss, I was more than happy to bowl first."
Afghanistan's Road Ahead
This victory places Afghanistan back in contention for the semi finals. They face Bangladesh in their final Super 8s match, with hopes of advancing further in the tournament. Rashid Khan, emphasizing the significance of the win, stated, "In a World Cup, to beat champions is a great feeling and it is something we have missed. It's just the beginning for us and we have every chance of making the semis."
Meanwhile, Australia’s path has become precarious. They must win their upcoming match against India in St Lucia to secure a place in the last four, a win that would have otherwise guaranteed both teams a semi final spot. Rashid concluded, "It's so important for us and back home. People in Afghanistan are badly missing this win and I'm sure they are proud of us." This historic win against Australia not only boosts Afghanistan’s World Cup campaign but also fuels their aspirations to make a lasting impact on the global stage.