Afghanistan saved alive their hopes of reaching the T20 World Cup semi-finals by gorgeous beforehand unbeaten Australia by 21 runs in an exhilarating encounter on Saturday.
Regardless of Pat Cummins changing into the third participant in historical past to take a hat-trick in consecutive innings, Afghanistan posted 148-6 after being requested to bat first on a tough pitch on the Arnos Vale Floor.
Afghanistan pair Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran placed on 118 for his or her highest partnership towards Australia within the T20 earlier than Australia’s bowlers rallied late, together with Cummins’ second profession hat-trick – simply two days after his first.
Australia then stumbled with the bat and had been bowled out for 127 balls, with solely Glenn Maxwell (59 off 41 balls) managing an excellent Afghanistan bowling assault and a swinging wicket.
Man-of-the-match Guldabin Naib took an impressed four-wicket haul within the center overs to halt Australia’s run chase earlier than Azmatullah Amarzai took the ultimate wicket. Adam Zampa took a deep wicket within the closing over to finish a surprising victory amid jubilant celebrations among the many Afghan gamers and group administration.
The win lifted Afghanistan to 2 factors in Group 1 and degree with Australia however trailing on mixture. India lead the group with 4 factors. Bangladesh are backside after two defeats however nonetheless have an opportunity to qualify for the semi-finals.
“It is a huge win for us as a group and as a nation within the World Cup, beating (over) the champions,” captain Rashid Khan mentioned.
“This is essential for us at dwelling and for everybody all over the world. Wherever the Afghans are, the Afghans will miss this win very a lot and I am certain they might have been so proud and loved the sport. and I feel that is only the start for us.”
Earlier, Gurbaz scored 60 off 49 balls whereas Zadran scored a gradual 51 off 48 balls as they laid a stable platform – aided by Australia’s uncharacteristically poor fielding.
Marcus Stoinis finally made the breakthrough within the sixteenth over, dismissing Gurbaz, resulting in a flurry of wickets because the momentum shifted.
Adam Zampa (2-28) took two wickets within the subsequent over, together with the wicket of Zadran, earlier than Pat Cummins got here to the fore once more. Rashid Khan (two) was caught by Tim David within the deep bowler and the final ball was dismissed within the 18th over.
Cummins (3-28) got here again within the closing match of the innings and along with his first ball Karim Jannat (13) was once more caught by David.
For the hat-trick, Cummins cleverly disguised a slower supply which Guldabin Naib may solely bowl to Glenn Maxwell, who runs in from the boundary to take the catch.
Australia stumbled early within the chase as they misplaced Travis Head, bowled for no rating by Naveen-ul-Haq with the third ball of the innings.
Skipper Mitchell Marsh (12) produced two highly effective knocks earlier than he turned Nevin’s second wicket, and when David Warner (three) bought out on the primary ball of Mohammed Nabi’s spinner, the Australians had been in hassle at 32-3 within the sixth over.
Stoinis and Maxwell strengthened the Australian innings as they reached 70-3 on the midway mark.
Gulbadin (4-20) was the eighth bowler utilized by Afghanistan within the first 11 overs and it paid nearly prompt dividends as Stoinis may solely handle a pull shot which was caught by Gurbaz.
Gulbadin then eliminated David (two) and when the all-rounder pressured Maxwell to take a spectacular catch off Noor Ahmad, victory appeared probably.
Australia’s lower-order batsmen additionally failed to provide the large hits the second demanded and when veteran Nabi was caught on the boundary and dismissed Zampa (9), Afghanistan’s deserved victory was confirmed.
What’s subsequent?
Australia face India in St Lucia on Monday (reside from 3pm on Sky Sports activities Cricket, first ball at 3.30pm) whereas Afghanistan wrap up their Tremendous 8s marketing campaign towards Bangladesh on Tuesday (reside from 1.30am on Sky Sports activities Cricket The 2 semi-finals will happen on Thursday 27 June earlier than the ultimate on 29 June.
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