Afghanistan made history by defeating Australia in their first-ever match between the two teams in international cricket, scripting a memorable win at the 2024 T20 World Cup. This significant victory catapulted them to the top of the Super 8 points table, keeping their semi-final hopes alive. Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl first on a two-paced surface with variable bounce, which proved to be a challenging task for the Afghan openers.
Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the Afghan opening pair, built a strong foundation with a 118-run partnership, helping their side reach a decent total of 148/6. Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa were the standout bowlers for Australia, taking three and two wickets respectively, but their efforts were not enough to stem the tide. In response, the Australian batters struggled to cope with the bowling-friendly conditions, managing to score just 127 in 19.2 overs, ultimately falling short by 21 runs.
Ibrahim Zadran (Via Ibrahim Zadran/Twitter)
Gulbadin Naib and Naveen-ul-Haq were the heroes of the match for Afghanistan, with Naib claiming four wickets and Haq bagging three, respectively. The Afghan players celebrated their victory jubilantly, exchanging hugs and smiles as they basked in the glory of their first-ever triumph over Australia. At the post-match presentation, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan reflected on the team’s hard work, saying, “I don’t think this comes in as a surprise. We’ve done a lot of work to improve and get to this stage, so I’m not surprised with this win.”
Khan attributed the team’s success to sticking to their strategy and picking the right players, which gave them a chance to win. He also expressed how the victory would bring joy to the fans, both around the world and back home, and that the team would now give themselves every opportunity to qualify for the semi-finals. With this victory under their belt, Afghanistan will look to continue their winning streak, facing Bangladesh next on June 25. The win has sent a wave of excitement among Afghan supporters, who will be eagerly awaiting their next match to see if they can maintain their momentum.
