Afghanistan defeated Australia for the first time in any format, securing a famous victory and keeping their semi-final hopes alive.
Despite a resilient knock from Glenn Maxwell, who seemed poised to lead Australia to victory, Afghanistan's bowlers, led by Gulbadin Naib, dramatically turned the tide.
Australia's top order crumbled under the pressure of Afghanistan's seamers. However, Glenn Maxwell countered with a series of remarkable shots, including a memorable shoveled four off Azmatullah Omarzai. His quick-fire 35-ball half-century gave Australia hope, as he signaled confidently to the dressing room after reaching his milestone. Maxwell's innings came to an end at 59 off 41 balls when Gulbadin Naib and Noor Ahmad combined to dismiss him, leaving Australia at 106 for 6 in the 15th over, needing 43 runs from 32 balls.
Gulbadin Naib seized the opportunity to showcase his bowling prowess, achieving career-best T20I figures of 4 for 20. Brought in as Afghanistan's eighth bowler, Naib's scalps included Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, and Pat Cummins. His exceptional performance helped bowl Australia out for 127, securing a historic win for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan's innings was anchored by openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who put together their third century partnership of the tournament. This feat marked the first time any pair had achieved such consistency in a T20I series. Their cautious start, which saw them score only 17 runs in the first four overs, quickly transformed as they accelerated to 40 for 0 by the end of the powerplay. Both openers reached half-centuries, setting the stage for a competitive total.
Australia's bowlers struggled to break the partnership, not finding a breakthrough until the 16th over. Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar, selected to exploit the spin-friendly pitch, failed to make significant inroads. Zampa, in particular, faced tough luck as he dropped a crucial catch, adding to Australia's fielding woes. Missed opportunities and fielding errors allowed Afghanistan to build a strong foundation and capitalize on Australia's lapses.
Cummins' Hat-Trick
Amidst the turmoil, Pat Cummins made history by securing a hat-trick in consecutive World Cup games, nearly achieving a four-in-four feat. However, his efforts were overshadowed by Afghanistan's resilience and Naib's remarkable spell.
Afghanistan's victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup is a testament to their growing prowess in the format. With crucial contributions from both their batsmen and bowlers, Afghanistan has not only kept their semi-final hopes alive but also sent a strong message to the cricketing world. For Australia, it was a day of missed chances and uncharacteristic errors, overshadowing Maxwell's valiant effort. As the tournament progresses, Afghanistan's spirited performance will be remembered as a landmark moment in their cricketing journey.
