Afghanistan made an astounding comeback against Australia in St Vincent to stun them in an exciting encounter, led by Gulbadin Naib who recorded impressive bowling figures of 4/20.
He struck two consecutive deliveries to Mohammad Nabi to short fine leg, and then used those same balls to take wickets against Travis Head (0) and Mitchell Marsh (12). For those interested in following the match in more detail, the Afghanistan national cricket team vs Australian men’s cricket team match scorecard provides a comprehensive breakdown of all the key moments.
Scorecard
Afghanistan confounded preconceptions by stunning Australia in St Vincent and extending their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the men’s T20 World Cup. Although Afghanistan lost five wickets during this encounter, Rashid Khan’s side managed to defend a 150-run target to claim an upset win by 21 runs and force an early exit for Australia from the tournament.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran shared an opening stand of 118 runs to set Afghanistan off on an extremely challenging surface. Their efforts allowed Australia to be reduced to 32-3 in their chase before Glenn Maxwell hit an unbeaten half-century off just 59 balls to revive hopes for an unexpected win for Australia.
But just when the Australian innings looked to be reaching safety, Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib struck back by taking Marcus Stoinis and Tim David wickets from consecutive overs to turn the match in Afghanistan’s favour and take Maxwell for one final wicket to end Australia’s comeback and seal its fateful fateful fate in dramatic fashion.
Afghanistan have brought joy to an oppressed country by celebrating every victory openly despite Taliban rules which forbid celebration. They chant and dance after every win; defying restrictions against public celebration.
The Blue Tigers’ success has won fans around the world over. By exceeding all expectations and becoming one of cricket’s newest nations, their remarkable performance has become one of its hallmarks – truly becoming a force to reckon with on a global stage.
Afghanistan has made headlines throughout this tournament for their remarkable performance, climbing up the rankings ladder to reach their first semi-final stage ever – giving hope to a country beset with war for years. Their former government was toppled by Taliban – designated terrorist group by US – while many citizens have fled abroad in fear. Their players still play under flag of former republic while singing an anthem which has since been banned by their new rulers; nevertheless they’ve embraced sport with open arms – it truly seems a fairy tale ending for an otherwise forgotten land!
Scoreboard
Pat Cummins has taken two hat-tricks already in this tournament for Australia and may well complete another. In the 18th over he sent back Rashid Khan before dismissing Karim Janat and Gulbadin Naib in successive overs in the 20th – leaving Australia’s batting in trouble once more but they still have Glenn Maxwell at bat to provide stability at the crease.
But Naib has other ideas, tearing through Australia with an array of excellent deliveries that startle them and leave no chance for comeback. He bowls Marcus Stoinis to point and Maxwell’s bat edge towards backward point where Noor Ahmad takes an impressive catch – effectively ending Australia’s hopes for an unlikely comeback.
Afghanistan have won Group A and advanced to face South Africa in St Vincent in a semi-final in a historic first for any non-British team at any World Cup competition, notching their first ever win over an ODI nation as well as scoring one-sidedly by an unprecedented margin.
Mohammad Nabi left Dubai nine months ago due to security reasons in order to join the Afghanistan squad in Kabul and train. Although he wishes he could play on their national team, his job as a Taliban soldier leaves him little time; “I follow matches using battery-operated radios.”
Cricket has quickly become one of the most beloved pastimes across Afghanistan, even in remote corners. Fans gather at playgrounds to cheer on their heroes clad in traditional Afghan garb. A 19-year-old Taliban soldier named Abdul Mobin Mansor hopes he can join one of Afghanistan’s national squads but knows his chances are slim.
Rain has delayed play at Arnos Vale Ground. It will resume at 20:00 local time with Richie Richardson absent due to illness; Jeff Crowe will replace him on the bench as referee. The pitch at Arnos Vale Ground offers greenish fast surface that favours spinners – it was used for hosting both previous matches of this competition.
Read More : Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Highlights
Afghanistan have given themselves hope of reaching the semi-finals at the 2023 T20 World Cup in St Vincent with an unexpected 21-run win against Australia at St Vincent. Rashid Khan’s team were superb, posting 148-6 on a challenging surface led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s opening stand of 118; then Afghanistan spinners reduced Australia to 32-3 during their chase; Glenn Maxwell threatened a comeback before Noor Ahmad made a stellar catch and Gulbadin Naib (career-best T20I figures of 4-20 in four overs) sealed it all for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan has made great strides toward international recognition and respect over 42 years, struggling to gain international acceptance and respect through cricket. Many members of Afghanistan’s national team grew up without electricity or access to running water, working making mud walls for income or facing Taliban oppression as children; cricket has proven an escape and source of great pleasure and celebration across Afghanistan despite Taliban regulations; crowds celebrate each victory by dancing wildly on the streets in public view and defying restrictions set out by them as celebrations ensued after each win – defying Taliban regulations while celebrating out loud for everyone’s benefit!
Pat Cummins has tightened the screws on Afghanistan in the final overs, taking another hat-trick of this tournament and dismissing Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai to set up a frenetic finish in Kingstown.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, playing their inaugural World Cup innings together, have shown excellent cricket sense in navigating an otherwise tricky pitch. Nearing 100 runs scored so far, these Afghanistan openers look set to ramp up their scoring when they reach this mark. Australian fielders have provided extra runs through misfielding errors and missed run out opportunities but these Afghanistan openers remain undeterred; attacking relentlessly while making it hard for Australia’s bowlers to penetrate.
Final Score
Gulbadin Naib took advantage of Australia’s record low total of 148 to smash through their top order and claim four wickets, including that of Glenn Maxwell who appeared set for another successful ODI World Cup performance. Furthermore, he took a stunning catch to remove Ashton Agar and ensure victory was sealed.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran made an excellent start to Afghanistan’s innings on a tricky surface, taking full advantage of the tricky conditions with both attacking strokes and running between wickets proving cost-effective and economical. These Afghan batsmen were further assisted by some poor fielding from Australia who dropped several chances.
Australia took some time to get going, but when they finally did their runs started to pour. With both openers approaching fifty runs each, fear was beginning to settle over their batsmen and panic began setting in.
This match pitted two of the most dominant T20 cricket teams against each other for supremacy of their tournament, and everything was at stake on both sides. The winner would claim victory, but both had much at stake for victory.
Afghanistan was victorious as they stunned Australia with an unprecedented win – one of the greatest upsets of this edition of T20 competition and sending shockwaves through T20 circuit.
Afghanistan has experienced significant civil strife since 2003 and few of the teams they play for recognise its new rulers. Afghanistan United plays under a flag representing one of its former republics while players stand up for an anthem which has since been banned by their new authorities. It was truly impressive to witness such success despite these difficulties.
Afghan cricket had not played any international Test match for four years due to injury concerns and struggles to remain competitive internationally; but this win shows they are on track toward becoming major cricketing powers.
South Africa and India will square off in the final group stage matchup. The winner will advance to the semi-finals held in Kolkata; any loss means elimination, although losing teams could still make the quarter-finals by finishing second in their pool.
