Afghanistan made history on the 48th match of the 2024 T20 World Cup as they defeated Australia by 21 runs at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent. This milestone victory was long-awaited by fans and players alike, marking Afghanistan’s first-ever win against Australia in international cricket. The team won the toss and decided to bat first, with openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz playing a crucial role in the batting department. Zadran scored 51 runs, while Gurbaz contributed 60 runs to the total score of 148/6 in 20 overs. Despite Pat Cummins’ hat-trick, Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Gulbadin Naib and Naveen-ul-Haq, effectively restricted Australia to 127 runs in 19.2 overs.
The Australian batting lineup struggled to put up a decent score, with Glenn Maxwell being the highest scorer with 59 runs. However, Afghanistan’s bowlers proved to be more than a match for them, as they bundled out the Kangaroo side in convincing fashion. Fans took to social media to react to the match, sharing hilarious memes and congratulating Afghanistan on their historic win. Many also poked fun at the embarrassing drop by David Warner that prevented Cummins from taking four wickets in a row.
Ibrahim Zadran (Via Ibrahim Zadran/Twitter)
In a post-match interview, Gulbadin Naib expressed his gratitude and relief at the win, crediting his team’s hard work and support from fans. Naib acknowledged that the win was a team effort, praising his teammates for their contributions to the team’s success. He also reflected on his team’s journey over the past ten years, noting that they have achieved a lot despite their limited history in international cricket.
With this historic win under their belt, Afghanistan will likely enter their next match against Bangladesh with renewed confidence. The fixture is set to take place on June 25 at the same venue, and Afghanistan will look to build on their momentum and continue their impressive run in the tournament.
