In a thrilling T20 World Cup match, Afghanistan stunned Australia by 21 runs at Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent. Gulbadin Naib and Naveen-ul-Haq shared seven wickets between them to lead Afghanistan to victory. Afghanistan’s bowlers performed exceptionally, with Naib taking four wickets and Naveen-ul-Haq taking three.
Chasing 149 for victory, Australia was bundled out for 127. Glenn Maxwell’s quickfire 59 off 41 balls seemed like it might turn the game in Australia’s favor, but Naib’s impressive bowling performance ensured Afghanistan came out on top. Naib removed key Australian batsmen, including Stoinis, David, and Maxwell, to secure the win.
Afghanistan’s solid opening stand set the tone for their victory. Despite challenging conditions with turn, seam, and swing, Afghanistan’s openers managed a steady start and kept the scoreboard ticking. Gurbaz and Zadran both scored fifties to give Afghanistan a competitive total.
Even though Australia managed to break the opening stand and pick up wickets, including a hat-trick by Pat Cummins, Afghanistan’s total proved to be too much for the Australian team. Afghanistan’s strong bowling performance and solid opening partnership were crucial in securing the win.
The victory keeps Afghanistan alive in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, showcasing their potential and skill on the international stage. Afghanistan’s impressive performance against a strong Australian team will certainly be remembered in T20 World Cup history.