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In a historic match at the T20 World Cup being held in the USA and West Indies, Afghanistan defeated Australia by 21 runs. This significant victory took place on Sunday in St. Vincent, marking Afghanistan’s first win against Australia in any international cricket match.
Afghanistan Sets a Challenging Target
Afghanistan set a target of 149 runs for Australia. After winning the toss, Australia decided to bowl first. Afghanistan, in their allotted 20 overs, scored 148 runs for the loss of six wickets. The standout performances for Afghanistan came from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored 60 runs, and Ibrahim Zadran, who added 51 runs to the total. Karim Janat also contributed with 13 runs. On the bowling side, Australia’s Pat Cummins took three wickets, while Adam Zampa secured two wickets.
Australia’s Chase Falls Short
In response to Afghanistan’s target, Australia’s batting lineup struggled and was all out for 127 runs in 19.2 overs. Glenn Maxwell was the top scorer for Australia with 59 runs. Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis contributed 12 and 11 runs, respectively. Afghanistan’s bowling attack was led by Gulbadin Naib, who took four wickets. Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan also played crucial roles, with Naveen-ul-Haq taking three wickets and Rashid Khan taking one.
Impact on the Super Eight Stage
This victory has made the Group A standings in the Super Eight stage more exciting. Currently, India leads the group with four points. Australia, despite the loss, remains in second place due to a better net run rate, both with two points. Afghanistan also has two points and is in third place, followed by Bangladesh, which has yet to score any points and is at the bottom of the group.
Chances for Semi-Final Qualification
With this win, Afghanistan has kept its hopes alive for reaching the semi-finals. India, Australia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh all have the potential to qualify for the semi-finals, making the upcoming matches in the Super Eight stage crucial for determining the final standings.
Conclusion
Afghanistan’s victory over Australia is a landmark achievement in their cricketing history. It highlights the significant progress Afghanistan has made in international cricket. The win not only boosts the morale of the Afghan team but also brings excitement to the T20 World Cup. Fans around the world are now eagerly watching how the remaining matches in the Super Eight stage will unfold, as any of the four teams in Group A could advance to the semi-finals.