Photo Credit : ICC
Afghanistan made history in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by securing their first-ever victory against Australia, a momentous achievement that ended Australia’s unbeaten streak in the tournament. The match, played under intense scrutiny, saw Afghanistan capitalize on winning the toss as Australia opted to field first under the leadership of Mitch Marsh.
From the outset, Afghanistan’s batsmen displayed a disciplined approach, carefully navigating through the initial overs. They maintained steady composure during the Powerplay phase, strategically balancing between aggressive stroke play and prudent defense. The opening pair laid a solid foundation, accumulating runs steadily and reaching 64/0 by the midway point of the innings without losing a wicket.
Despite the pitch conditions favoring spin, Afghanistan’s batsmen continued to dominate, unsettling Australian bowlers Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar with calculated aggression. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran played pivotal roles, each reaching impressive half-centuries that bolstered Afghanistan’s total and put pressure on the Australian side.
Australia fought back with Marcus Stoinis breaking through the Afghan defenses, followed by critical strikes from Zampa that momentarily shifted momentum. However, Afghanistan’s resilience and strategic acumen, combined with Pat Cummins’ exceptional bowling performance including a rare second consecutive T20 World Cup hat-trick, limited Australia to a modest total of 127 runs.
In response, Afghanistan’s measured approach in batting, coupled with sharp fielding and strategic maneuvers, ensured they successfully chased down the target, securing a historic 21-run victory. Gulbadin Naib’s impactful four-wicket haul further underscored Afghanistan’s dominance, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing journey.
With this landmark win, Afghanistan not only celebrated a historic achievement but also positioned themselves strongly in the tournament, poised to face Bangladesh in their final Super Eight match. Meanwhile, Australia regrouped to prepare for a crucial encounter against India, aiming to bounce back from their unexpected defeat and advance in the competition.
