In the fifth match of the ICC T20 World Cup, Afghanistan triumphed over Uganda with an impressive 125-run victory.
Match Details:
- Venue: The match took place on Monday at the National Stadium in Guyana.
- Toss: Uganda won the toss and opted to field first.
First Innings:
Afghanistan’s openers Rahmatullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided a solid start with a remarkable partnership of 154 runs, marking the second-highest partnership in T20 World Cup history.
- Rahmatullah Gurbaz: He played a stellar innings, contributing significantly to the team’s total.
- Ibrahim Zadran: Partnering with Gurbaz, Zadran helped lay a strong foundation for Afghanistan.
- Other Contributions: Najibullah Zadran scored 2 runs, Gulbadin Naib made 4, and Azmatullah Omarzai added 5 runs. Mohammad Nabi contributed 14 runs off 16 balls, while captain Rashid Khan remained not out with 2 runs off 1 ball.
Uganda’s bowlers managed to take a few wickets:
- Brian Masaba: Took 2 wickets.
- Cosmos Kyewuta: Also secured 2 wickets.
- Alpesh Ramjani: Claimed 1 wicket.
Second Innings:
Chasing a target of 184 runs set by Afghanistan, Uganda’s batting lineup crumbled and the team was all out for just 58 runs.
- Ronak Patel: Uganda’s opener, showed some promise with a boundary on the first ball bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi, but was soon dismissed.
- Wickets Tumble: Farooqi then took two more wickets in quick succession, sending Patel and Roger Mukasa back to the pavilion. Simon Ssesazi was caught by Farooqi off Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s bowling. The wickets continued to fall rapidly, and Uganda found themselves struggling at 18-5 within the fifth over.
Afghanistan’s bowlers showcased a dominant performance:
- Fazalhaq Farooqi: Delivered an outstanding spell, taking 5 wickets.
- Rashid Khan: The captain took 2 crucial wickets, dismissing Bilal Hassan and Henry Ssenyondo.
- Naveen-ul-Haq: Contributed with 2 wickets.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman: Secured 1 wicket.
Summary:
Afghanistan set a formidable target of 184 runs, which proved too challenging for Uganda as they were bowled out for a mere 58 runs, resulting in a decisive 125-run victory for Afghanistan. This win highlights Afghanistan’s strong batting performance, led by Gurbaz and Zadran, and an equally formidable bowling display, spearheaded by Farooqi and Rashid Khan.
The match not only showcased Afghanistan’s cricketing prowess but also underscored their potential to be strong contenders in the ICC T20 World Cup.