In a historic match at St Vincent, Afghanistan achieved their first-ever victory against Australia in any format, winning by 21 runs and boosting their chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup semi-finals. This remarkable feat left Australia’s semi-final hopes in jeopardy, requiring them to beat the undefeated India to stay in contention.
Afghanistan's Stunning Triumph
Guided by Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan delivered a stunning blow to Australia with a formidable performance. Gulbadin Naib’s exceptional bowling, taking four wickets for 20 runs, played a crucial role in Afghanistan's victory. This win set up a dramatic conclusion to the Super Eight stage, where Afghanistan's fate depends on their performance against Bangladesh and Australia's showdown with India.
Australia's path to the semi-finals has become precarious. Even a victory against India might not suffice if Afghanistan secures a convincing win over Bangladesh. India, although unbeaten against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, has yet to guarantee their spot in the last four.
Gulbadin Naib expressed immense pride, highlighting the victory as a long-awaited achievement for Afghanistan. He reflected on the journey of Afghan cricket, noting their rapid progress over the past decade. The victory over Australia was described as a significant milestone, celebrating the hard work and dedication of the team and the unwavering support of their fans.
Australia’s Struggles and Afghanistan's Tactical Play
Australia’s captain, Mitchell Marsh, conceded that his team was “outplayed” by Afghanistan. The Afghan openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, set a strong foundation with a partnership of 118 runs in 16 overs, making them the tournament’s leading run-scorers. Despite a challenging pitch, Afghanistan managed to post a total of 148 for six, thanks to Pat Cummins’ remarkable hat-trick, his second in consecutive games.
Afghanistan's fielding was solid, contrasting with Australia’s unusually disorganised display. Although Cummins’ hat-trick included the dismissal of Gulbadin for a golden duck, Gulbadin soon turned the tables, becoming the hero with his decisive bowling performance.
Glenn Maxwell was the only Australian batsman to make a significant contribution, scoring 59 runs from 41 balls. However, his efforts were not enough to save Australia, as they were bowled out for 127. Gulbadin’s exceptional bowling also accounted for key wickets like Marcus Stoinis and Tim David, sealing Australia’s fate.
Rashid Khan's Reflections on the Victory
Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, hailed the win as a monumental achievement for both the team and the nation. He emphasised the importance of beating Australia, the reigning 50-over World Cup champions, in a World Cup setting. Rashid saw this victory as just the beginning for Afghanistan, believing they had a strong chance of reaching the semi-finals.
He underscored the emotional significance of the win for the people of Afghanistan, who were eagerly awaiting such a triumph. Rashid expressed confidence that this victory would inspire pride and joy back home, marking a pivotal moment in Afghanistan's cricket history.