Afghanistan created history as the team defeated Australia by 21 runs in the T20 World Cup Super Eight match at the Arnos Vale Ground on Sunday. It was powered by Gulbadin Naib's four-wicket haul and a solid opening stand of 118 runs between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan registered their first-ever win over the cricketing giant.
Australia's unbeaten streak in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup came to an end with this defeat. Both teams are now in a tight race to join India in the tournament's next phase.
Winning the toss, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh chose to field, a decision that backfired. Gurbaz and Zadran’s partnership of 118 off 95 balls led Afghanistan to a total of 148/6 in their 20 overs.
Defending 148, Gulbadin (4-20) and Naveen-ul-haq (3-20) dismantled Australia's batting lineup, bundling them out for 127 in 19.2 overs, clinching Afghanistan's memorable victory.
Afghanistan's plans were executed to perfection. Openers Gurbaz and Zadran managed the Powerplay both gingerly and positively — well mixed, really — racing to 40/0 at the end of the first six overs, then 64 without loss at the halfway mark.
The pitch, quite clearly, was a friend of the spinners, and this was evident in the attack which Agar and Adam Zampa faced during the middle overs. The 13th over by Zampa was very expensive: he conceded two boundaries—one of them a misfield—there was also a close LBW call and a missed stumping by Matthew Wade.
Gurbaz raised his fifty in the 15th over, and Zadran got there five balls later. Finally, it was the introduction of Marcus Stoinis in the 16th over that brought Australia the breakthrough, with Gurbaz being dismissed to end the 118-run stand and shift entirely the momentum. Zampa then took two quick wickets in the next over, including Zadran's, leaving Afghanistan three down. Pat Cummins's 18th over was economical, yielding only four runs and claiming Rashid Khan's wicket.
Cummins, having previously taken a hat-trick against Bangladesh, achieved another in the 19th over by dismissing Karim Janat and Gulbadin, ending with figures of 3-28.
Australia's fielding errors and missed catches proved costly, contributing to Afghanistan's total of 148/6.
In pursuit of 149, Australia stumbled early as Naveen dismissed Travis Head on the third delivery and Mitchell Marsh in his second over. Glenn Maxwell’s two boundaries in the fifth over brought some stability, but David Warner's wicket tilted the balance back to Afghanistan. Australia ended the Powerplay at a precarious 33/3.
Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis steadied the innings, bringing Australia to 70/3 at the halfway point. However, Stoinis fell for 11 off 17 soon after, and Tim David followed with just 2 off 4 balls. Maxwell's six in the 13th over brought up his fifty off 35 balls, but his dismissal by Gulbadin dashed Australia's hopes. Following Wade's wicket, Australia was left reeling at 108/7, needing 41 runs from 29 balls.
Cummins couldn't sustain his form, and with three overs left, Australia required 36 runs. Afghanistan's superb fielding turned the tide, with every opportunity being capitalized on.
Zampa's wicket sealed Australia's fate at 127 all out, giving Afghanistan a 21-run victory and marking a significant milestone for the team. This triumph over Australia is a historic moment for Afghanistan cricket.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 148/6 in 20 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 60, Ibrahim Zadran 51; Pat Cummins 3/-28) beat Australia 127 in 19.2 overs (Glenn Maxwell 59; Gulbadin Naib 4-19) by 21 runs.
