The Afghans have been in a must-win state of affairs towards the formidable Australians within the ‘Tremendous 8s’ match and got here up with a 21-run victory in St Vincent on Sunday (IST).
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Group 1 of ‘Tremendous 8s’ is presently led by India with 4 factors, adopted by Australia and Afghanistan with two factors every, whereas Bangladesh sit on the backside with none. India and Australia are set to face one another in St Lucia on Monday, and Afghanistan will stay in St Vincent to play towards Bangladesh later that day within the last ‘Tremendous 8s’ match.
AS IT HAPPENED
The outcome additionally shattered Australia’s unbeaten report within the match, regardless of Pat Cummins claiming his second hat-trick in back-to-back matches. A win would have secured Australia a spot within the final 4 alongside India.
Gurbaz (60) and Zadran’s (51) half-centuries helped Afghanistan publish a complete of 148-6 of their 20 overs, and their bowlers efficiently defended the goal by dismissing Australia for 127 on a difficult Kingstown pitch.
Naib and Naveen-ul-Haq have been the standout bowlers for Afghanistan, taking 4-20 and 3-20, respectively. Nevertheless, it was the third century partnership of the match between Gurbaz and Zadran that set the stage for the victory, which additionally saved Bangladesh’s hopes alive.
Gurbaz and Zadran’s crisp batting and onerous working put the Australians beneath stress, inflicting them to make uncharacteristic fielding errors beneath the Arnos Vale Floor lights. The pair reached their half-centuries earlier than Stoinis separated them within the 16th over, with Gurbaz mistiming a shot to Warner at deep sq. leg.
Within the following over, Zampa eliminated Omarzai (2) and Zadran, whereas Cummins despatched again Rashid Khan with the ultimate ball of the 18th over. Janat and Naib adopted with the primary two deliveries of the 20th over, making Cummins the primary bowler to take two hat-tricks at a T20 World Cup. He narrowly missed taking 4 wickets in a row when Warner failed to carry onto a catch to dismiss Kharote.
Afghanistan began strongly with the ball, with Naveen bowling Head for a duck within the opening over and having Marsh caught within the deep for 12 within the third. Warner fell for 3 off Nabi’s first supply, leaving the Australians struggling at 32-Three within the last over of the ability play.
Stoinis (11) added 39 runs with Maxwell to considerably regular the Australian run-chase after early blows, however
the Afghans saved at it, and finally elevated the stress by eradicating Stoinis and Tim David (2).
Maxwell threatened to take the sport away along with his 59 off 41 balls. Nevertheless, his dismissal by Naib, because of an acrobatic catch by Noor Ahmad, all however sealed the destiny of the previous champions.
