The Afghanistan cricket team clinched its first-ever victory over Australia with an exceptional all-round performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. This win not only ended Australia’s unbeaten run but also positioned Afghanistan as a formidable contender in the tournament.
Australia’s captain Mitch Marsh chose to field first after winning the toss, a decision that soon proved questionable. Afghanistan’s openers took charge immediately, demonstrating patience and precision during the Powerplay.
With a mix of dot balls and boundaries, they reached 40/0 in the first six overs. The momentum continued as Afghanistan advanced to 64/0 at the halfway mark, with all wickets intact.
On a pitch favoring spinners, Australian bowlers Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa faced an aggressive Afghan batting line-up. Zampa’s 13th over was particularly expensive, featuring two boundaries and a missed stumping opportunity by Matthew Wade. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran both reached half-centuries, putting Australia on the back foot.
Australia managed a breakthrough in the 16th over when Marcus Stoinis dismissed Gurbaz. This initiated a brief comeback, with Zampa taking two wickets in the next over, including Zadran’s crucial scalp.
Pat Cummins, fresh from a hat-trick against Bangladesh, continued his stellar form with another hat-trick, ending with figures of 3/28. Despite these efforts, Afghanistan set a competitive total of 148/6 in their 20 overs.
Defending the target, Afghanistan’s bowlers started strong. Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed Australian opener Travis Head in his first over and Marsh in his second, putting Australia under immense pressure at 33/3 after six overs.
Glenn Maxwell attempted to anchor the innings with quick boundaries but saw partners fall around him. Stoinis and Tim David were dismissed cheaply, leaving Australia struggling at 70/4 at the halfway mark.
Maxwell’s half-century off 35 balls provided a glimmer of hope, but Gulbadin Naib’s brilliance in the field extinguished it. Naib’s delivery tempted Maxwell into an outside off-stump shot, superbly caught by Noor Ahmad. Australia’s lower order failed to capitalize on Cummins’ earlier heroics, with wickets tumbling as Afghanistan’s fielding masterclass took effect.
The Aussies, needing 41 runs off 29 balls with only three wickets in hand, couldn’t withstand the pressure. Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding led to Australia’s collapse at 127 all out, 22 runs short of the target. Naib’s four-wicket haul etched his name in history, making him the first to achieve such a feat in both T20I and ODI World Cups.
This victory marks a monumental achievement for Afghanistan cricket, showcasing their potential on the global stage. As they prepare for their final Super Eight clash against Bangladesh, Afghanistan’s confidence is sky-high, while Australia faces a crucial match against India.
This historic win not only boosts Afghanistan’s chances in the tournament but also sends a strong message to the cricketing world about their rising prowess.