T20 World Cup 2024: Afghanistan Beats Australia by 21 Runs

Afghanistan shocked the cricket world by defeating the unbeaten Australian team in a nail-biting Twenty20 World Cup match on Sunday. This victory keeps Afghanistan’s semifinal aspirations intact.

Afghanistan's Strong Start

Batting first on a challenging pitch at the Arnos Vale Ground, Afghanistan posted a competitive score of 148-6. Key to this total was the remarkable opening partnership of 118 runs between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, marking the highest opening stand against Australia in a T20 match.

Pat Cummins' Hat-Trick in Vain

Australian bowler Pat Cummins took his second hat-trick in two games, but his efforts were not enough to stifle the Afghan batsmen. Cummins' achievement came too late to change the game's momentum.

Australia’s Batting Collapse

Australia struggled in their chase, managing only 127 runs before being bowled out. Glenn Maxwell was the lone warrior for Australia, scoring 59 off 41 balls. However, the rest of the lineup failed to counter Afghanistan’s effective bowling attack.

Key Performances by Afghan Bowlers

Man of the match Guldabin Naib’s four-wicket haul in the middle overs was crucial in derailing Australia’s chase. Azmatullah Omarzai sealed the victory by catching the final wicket of Adam Zampa in the deep, sparking celebrations among the Afghan players and team management.

Captain Rashid Khan's Joy

“It’s a massive win for us as a team and as a nation in the World Cup beating the champions,” said Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan, reflecting the pride and joy of his team and country.