Afghanistan defeated Australia for the first time in international cricket, getting over the line by 21 runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup clash in Kingstown.

Afghanistan defeated Australia for the first time in international cricket, getting over the line by 21 runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup clash in Kingstown.

Cummins hat-trick in vain

Afghanistan created history with a memorable win against the 2021 T20 World Cup champions Australia, dismissing them for 127 in a run chase of 149. Led by fifties from their openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan got to a competitive total on a sluggish wicket, despite Pat Cummins picking up his second successive hat-trick in two days.

Naveen-ul-Haq sent back Travis Head in the first over of the run chase, and Australia could never recover after that, falling to 85-5 inside 13 overs. Despite a fighting 59 from Glenn Maxwell, Afghanistan kept their nerves, taking some excellent catches, eventually restricting the opposition to 127.

Naib stars with the ball

Gulbadin Naib was the star with the ball, picking up 4-20, helping Afghanistan to their first win against Australia after running them close twice previously. Afghanistan had lost by four runs in the 2022 T20 World Cup, and were in sight of a historic win against Australia last year in the ODI World Cup before Glenn Maxwell played arguably the best knock in history, scoring a double hundred after his team was in the doldrums.

They have also opened up the doors for a semi-final berth and will play Bangladesh in two days to determine their fate in the competition.

Afghanistan’s fifth win against a Full-Member across two ICC events since last year, was praised and appreciated by the cricketing world on social media.

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