Afghanistan vs Australia ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Match Report

Maxwell's trick shots couldn't save Australia as Naib's career-best figures lead Afghanistan to a historic victory in T20 World Cup.

In a crucial match with a semi-final spot at stake, Australia's top order faced a tough challenge from Afghanistan's seamers. However, Glenn Maxwell stepped up with a series of innovative shots to counter Afghanistan's attack and put Australia in a strong position. Despite Maxwell's efforts, Gulbadin Naib and Noor Ahmad combined to stop him and keep Afghanistan's hopes alive.

Naib's career-best T20I figures of 4 for 20 played a crucial role in dismissing Australia for 127, securing Afghanistan's first victory over Australia in any format. Cummins had earlier taken a hat-trick, but Naib's performance overshadowed it and led Afghanistan to a historic win.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran's partnership set the stage for Afghanistan's competitive total, with both openers scoring half-centuries. Despite a slow start, they accelerated in the middle overs and put Australia under pressure. Australia's decision to go with spinners backfired as Gurbaz and Ibrahim played smart cricket to build a solid foundation for their team.

Overall, Afghanistan's victory was a result of their disciplined bowling, solid batting performance, and capitalizing on Australia's mistakes in the field. The match showcased the talent and determination of both teams, but ultimately Afghanistan emerged victorious in a thrilling contest.