ST VINCENT, SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES - JUNE 22: Afghanistan players celebrate winning the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 Super Eight match between Afghanistan and Australia at Arnos Vale Ground on June 22, 2024 in St Vincent, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

<p>In an exciting and phenomenal turn of events today, Afghanistan crushed the Mighty Australians in the 48th game of the 2024 T20 World Cup to secure a 21-run victory. This wasn&#8217;t just a win; it was a thunderous statement. It was a message sent loud and clear to the cricketing world: Afghanistan is a force to be reckoned with. They&#8217;re here to dominate, and this win cements their unstoppable rise in world cricket. ;</p>



<p>But this wasn&#8217;t the case with this game! Nearly eight months ago, in the Afg vs Aus 2023 World Cup clash, the mighty Australian pulled off an amazing win from the jaws of defeat, leaving Afghanistan in despair and pain like never seen before in their history. They came so close to winning, even so close, that it wouldn&#8217;t be wrong to say that Afghanistan had 99% of the game in their pockets at one point. But <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-cricket-world-cup-2023-24-1367856/afghanistan-vs-australia-39th-match-1384430/match-report">Glenn Maxwell</a> had different plans, as he went immortal to take Australia to a three-wicket win from 91/7, scoring a double century. This was a loss that would sting Afghanistan for a long time, but Afghanistan got another chance at vengeance, another chance to lessen the pain of past defeats, another chance to get rid of past demons, as they faced off Australia for their second 2024 <a href="https://www.caribbeancricket.org/2024-t20-world-cup-super-8-details/">T20 World Cup Super 8 </a>game. However, what unfolded in the game was a display of utmost determination, and it was a team with only one goal “Redemption.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Afghan Openers Lay Solid Foundation</h2>



<p>Australia&#8217;s skipper Mitch Marsh&#8217;s decision to field first backfired spectacularly. The Afghan openers, demonstrating remarkable composure, stitched together a crucial partnership. They played sensibly, accumulating boundaries at regular intervals while safeguarding their wickets. This laid a solid foundation for a formidable total.</p>



<p>The pitch, expected to favor spinners, stayed true to its nature. The Afghan batsmen, particularly Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, dealt sensibly with the likes of Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar. Gurbaz reached his well-deserved fifty, followed swiftly by Zadran, as Australia&#8217;s pace bowling attack looked increasingly ineffective.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cummins Takes Second Consecutive Hat-Trick, But Afghan Fightback Looms</h2>



<p>However, a glimmer of hope emerged for Australia in the 16th over. Marcus Stoinis bagged the much-needed breakthrough, dismissing the dangerous Gurbaz on 60 off 49, leaving Afghanistan at 118 for one down after 16 overs. This dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, with Zampa removing the in-form Zadran and Omarzai in quick succession. Pat Cummins, fresh off his heroics against Bangladesh, completed a scarcely believable second consecutive hat-trick in T20 World Cup history, leaving Afghanistan at 148/6 after 20 overs.</p>



<p>Despite a spirited bowling performance, Australia&#8217;s fielding was a cause for concern. Dropped catches and leaked runs added pressure, making their task of chasing down a seemingly modest target even more challenging.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Afghanistan&#8217;s All-Round Performance Seal the Deal</h2>



<p>Afghanistan&#8217;s shrewd bowling plans under the leadership of Rashid Khan proved highly effective. Naveen-ul-Haq, replacing the in-form Fazalhaq Farooqi, struck early, dismissing both Travis Head and Mitch Marsh within his first three overs. Australia found themselves in deep trouble at 33/3 after the Powerplay.</p>



<p>Glenn Maxwell, Australia&#8217;s hero from the ODI World Cup clash against Afghanistan last year, attempted to revive the innings with some characteristic power-hitting. However, the fall of David Warner further dented their hopes. With Maxwell&#8217;s dismissal by Gulbadin Naib and a sensational diving catch by Noor Ahmad, Australia&#8217;s resistance began to crumble.</p>



<p>Pat Cummins, the hero with the ball, couldn&#8217;t replicate his bowling performance with the bat. His dismissal left Australia needing an improbable 36 runs off the final three overs. Afghanistan&#8217;s exceptional fielding, converting every half-chance, stifled any fightback from the Australian lower order. The innings finally folded for 127 runs, handing Afghanistan a historic 21-run victory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Afg vs Aus: A Landmark Win and a Group Thrown Wide Open</h2>



<p>This win is a testament to the tremendous progress Afghan cricket has made in recent years. They displayed exceptional planning, composure, and fielding brilliance to outplay a more fancied Australian side. Gulbadin Naib&#8217;s four-wicket haul, including the first-ever instance of a player taking four wickets in both T20I and ODI World Cup matches, deserves special mention.</p>



<p>The victory has significant implications for both teams. Afghanistan, brimming with confidence, will face Bangladesh in their final Super Eight clash. Australia, on the other hand, must regroup quickly for a crucial encounter against India. This match has thrown the group wide open, making the race for the next stage a tense and exciting affair.</p>



<p>Cricket fans will undoubtedly remember this match as a classic underdog story. Afghanistan&#8217;s triumph over Australia serves as an inspiration for all cricketing nations, proving that with determination, grit, and exceptional talent, anything is possible on the cricket field.</p>

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