AFG vs AUS T20 World Cup: Resilient Afghanistan stage a comeback, defeat Australia by 21 runs

Rashid Khan's Afghanistan pulled off a stunning upset on Saturday, beating the mighty Australians by 21 runs at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown. The semi-final qualification scenario in Group 1 of the T20 World Cup has become a lot more interesting following Australia's defeat.

In perhaps the most exciting match of the 2024 T20 World Cup so far, Afghanistan scored 148 runs in their 20 overs and then bowled out the mighty Australians for 127 to secure a 21-run victory.

Asked to bat first, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put on a 118-run stand for the 1st wicket to put Afghanistan in a strong position. However, Zadran was dismissed by Marcus Stonis soon after his half-century and Adam Zampa took two crucial wickets of Gurbaz and Omarzai to put Afghanistan on the back foot.

Trouble continued to pile up for the Afghan batsmen as Pat Cummins once again showed his class by taking a hat-trick for the second match in a row, dismissing Rashid Khan, Karim Janat and Gulbadin Naib. Cummins' three-wicket haul ensured that Afghanistan never crossed the 150-run mark.

In reply, pacer Naveen ul Haq helped Afghanistan to a dream start with the wickets of Travis Head (0) and Mitchell Marsh in the first 3 overs of the innings. The crucial wicket of David Warner in the 6th over meant Australia were at one stage all out for 32/3 with the total looking a distant prospect.

Glenn Maxwell (59 off 41 balls) channelled his inner fighter to keep the flame alive with a counter-attacking innings. And with Maxwell and Stoinis rebuilding the innings, it looked as though Australia might yet get the winning runs. However, Gulabdin Naib had other plans as he took the wickets of Marcus Stoinis and Tim David in the 11th and 13th overs of the match to put the Aussies back on the back foot. Naib then scalped his most prized possession by dismissing Maxwell on 59. There was no turning back for Australia and the Kangaroos were eventually bowled out for 127.