The Afghans were in a must-win situation against the formidable Australians in the ‘Super 8s’ match and came up with a 21-run victory in St Vincent on Sunday (IST).
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Group 1 of ‘Super 8s’ is currently led by India with four points, followed by Australia and Afghanistan with two points each, while Bangladesh sit at the bottom with none. India and Australia are set to face each other in St Lucia on Monday, and Afghanistan will remain in St Vincent to play against Bangladesh later that day in the final ‘Super 8s’ match.
AS IT HAPPENED
The result also shattered Australia’s unbeaten record in the tournament, despite Pat Cummins claiming his second hat-trick in back-to-back matches. A win would have secured Australia a place in the last four alongside India.
Gurbaz (60) and Zadran’s (51) half-centuries helped Afghanistan post a total of 148-6 in their 20 overs, and their bowlers successfully defended the target by dismissing Australia for 127 on a challenging Kingstown pitch.
Naib and Naveen-ul-Haq were the standout bowlers for Afghanistan, taking 4-20 and 3-20, respectively. However, it was the third century partnership of the tournament between Gurbaz and Zadran that set the stage for the victory, which also kept Bangladesh’s hopes alive.
Gurbaz and Zadran’s crisp batting and hard running put the Australians under pressure, causing them to make uncharacteristic fielding errors under the Arnos Vale Ground lights. The pair reached their half-centuries before Stoinis separated them in the 16th over, with Gurbaz mistiming a shot to Warner at deep square leg.
In the following over, Zampa removed Omarzai (2) and Zadran, while Cummins sent back Rashid Khan with the final ball of the 18th over. Janat and Naib followed with the first two deliveries of the 20th over, making Cummins the first bowler to take two hat-tricks at a T20 World Cup. He narrowly missed taking four wickets in a row when Warner failed to hold onto a catch to dismiss Kharote.
Afghanistan started strongly with the ball, with Naveen bowling Head for a duck in the opening over and having Marsh caught in the deep for 12 in the third. Warner fell for three off Nabi’s first delivery, leaving the Australians struggling at 32-3 in the final over of the power play.
Stoinis (11) added 39 runs with Maxwell to somewhat steady the Australian run-chase after early blows, but
the Afghans kept at it, and eventually increased the pressure by removing Stoinis and Tim David (2).
Maxwell threatened to take the game away with his 59 off 41 balls. However, his dismissal by Naib, thanks to an acrobatic catch by Noor Ahmad, all but sealed the fate of the former champions.
