On Saturday, Afghanistan clinched a 21-run victory over Australia in an electrifying Super Eight round encounter at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent. The victory keeps the Afghans’ hope of making it to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup alive. Opting to bowl first on a sticky wicket proved detrimental for Mitchell Marsh, marking Australia’s first tournament defeat.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (60 off 49) and Ibrahim Zadran (51 off 48) exhibited prudence on the challenging pitch, accumulating 118 runs for the first wicket in 15.5 overs. This formidable partnership set a robust base for Afghanistan, though the subsequent batters stumbled during the death overs.
Australia’s bowlers performed admirably in the final overs, confining Afghanistan to 148/6 in their 20 overs. Pat Cummins dazzled with a 3/28 spell, while Adam Zampa (2/28) and Marcus Stoinis contributed pivotal wickets.
Australia’s batting lineup crumbled to Afghanistan’s bowling attack, managing only 127 runs in 19.2 overs. Glenn Maxwell (59 off 41) stood alone, lacking substantial support from his teammates. The scoreboard for Australia appeared dismal, with Mitchell Marsh (12 off 9) and Marcus Stoinis (11 off 17) being the only others to reach double digits.
Gulbadin Naib (4/20) and Naveen-ul-Haq (3/20) excelled with the ball for Afghanistan, while Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan each snagged a wicket, contributing to Australia’s downfall.
Key Moments of the Match
Gurbaz & Ibrahim Zadran’s Stellar Partnership
Invited to bat on a precarious surface, Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran exhibited commendable composure. The pair capitalized on loose deliveries to maintain a steady scoring pace. Both achieved well-deserved half-centuries, forging their third 100-plus opening partnership of the tournament.
Cummins’ Remarkable Hat-Tricks
Pat Cummins, who recently claimed a hat-trick against Bangladesh, replicated this feat against Afghanistan. The right-arm pacer secured another hat-trick, becoming the first bowler to achieve two consecutive hat-tricks in World Cups. Cummins dismissed Rashid Khan (2 off 5) on the final ball of the 18th over, followed by Karim Janat (13 off 9) and Gulbadin Naib (0 off 1) on the first two balls of the final over, etching his name in the annals of cricket history. 
Naveen-ul-Haq’s Dream Start
Rashid Khan’s unexpected decision to start with Naveen-ul-Haq instead of the regular new-ball bowler, Fazalhaq Farooqi, paid off. Naveen dismissed the formidable Travis Head for a duck on the third ball of the chase, giving Afghanistan an ideal start. This early breakthrough triggered a collapse for the Aussies, who never regained their footing in the chase.
Gulbadin Naib’s Dominant Bowling
The right-arm pacer, renowned for his bicep-flexing celebration, had ample reason to celebrate throughout the match. He wreaked havoc on Australia’s batting lineup, capturing 4 wickets for just 20 runs. Naib’s exceptional bowling earned him the Player of the Match accolade.
Glenn Maxwell – The Lone Warrior
Despite his recent struggles with form, Maxwell stepped up when his team needed him most. He recorded his first fifty in 18 T20 innings, scoring 59 runs off 41 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes. Though he posed a threat to Afghanistan, Maxwell couldn’t replicate his previous World Cup heroics.
This defeat places Australia in a precarious position in the tournament. They must secure a victory against India at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia, on June 24 to keep their semifinal hopes alive. A loss or a washout, combined with an Afghanistan win in their final game, will result in Australia’s elimination from the T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan currently sits third in Group 1, trailing Australia due to a poorer net run rate (-0.650). Their final Super Eight match against Bangladesh at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent, on June 24 will determine their fate. If India defeats Australia, a win for Afghanistan will secure their spot in the semifinals.
