Sport
Afghanistan pulls off stunning upset against Australia in T20 World Cup match
The team is now firmly back in contention to reach the semi-finals. They will face Bangladesh in their last Super 8s game on Tuesday.
Afghanistan on Sunday sealed its first-ever win against Australia in an exceptional all-round display in their Super 8 T20 World Cup match.
Collecting one of the team’s best ever cricketing victories, Afghanistan ended Australia’s unbeaten World Cup 2024.
Australia’s skipper Mitch Marsh won the toss and opted to field first but Afghanistan took little time to make Marsh question whether he’d made the right decision.
The Afghans had a plan and it was executed out of the gate, staying patient and precise.
Needing a victory to avoid elimination, Afghanistan posted 148-6 on the back of a superb opening stand of 118 between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran.
They quickly reduced Australia to 32-3 in the chase but Glenn Maxwell’s 35-ball half-century recovered the situation for the 2021 champions.
But just when Australia seemed to have the advantage, Gulbadin Naib removed Marcus Stoinis and Tim David before claiming the prize scalp of Maxwell.
From there Australia collapsed from 106-6 to 113-9 and Afghanistan sealed the win – their first over Australia in any form of cricket – in the final over.
“We’ve been waiting for a long time, it’s a great moment for me, my nation, my people,” said player of the match Gulbadin.
The team is now firmly back in contention to reach the semi-finals. They will face Bangladesh in their last Super 8s game on Tuesday.
Team captain Rashid Khan said: “It’s a massive win for us as a team and as a nation.”
“In a World Cup, to beat champions (Australia are 50-over world champions) is a great feeling and it is something we have missed.
“It’s just the beginning for us and we have every chance of making the semis,” Rashid said.
Australia takes on India in St Lucia on Monday and will likely need to win to progress to the last four.
Related stories:
India beat Afghanistan by 47 runs in Super 8 match of T20 World Cup
Afghanistan shock New Zealand by 84 runs for first win in history
Omar Zawak Herat secured a 1-0 victory over Toofan Herat in the 24th match of the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan in Kabul.
The match was played on Saturday at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium.
Both sides created scoring opportunities in the first half, but neither team managed to find the net before the break.
Omar Zawak Herat broke the deadlock in the 86th minute when Shadab Malikzadah scored with a fine strike to give his side the lead.
Toofan Herat committed eight fouls and received two yellow cards, while Omar Zawak Herat recorded six fouls and received one yellow card and one red card.
Toofan Herat will face Aino Mina Kandahar on September 29, while Omar Zawak Herat will take on Abu Muslim Farah on September 30.
Matches from the sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League are being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Afghanistan are set to face India in the Asian Games cricket quarter-finals after Saturday’s rain-hit match between Nepal and Japan confirmed the Pool A standings.
The quarter-final between India and Afghanistan is scheduled to take place on September 28 in Nisshin, Japan.
Nepal secured first place in the group after Japan’s chase was washed out. Nepal had scored 149 runs for four wickets in 15 overs after being sent in to bat, but persistent rain prevented Japan from starting its innings.
The result saw Nepal advance as Pool A winners, with Afghanistan joining them in the quarter-finals as the other qualifying team. Nepal will face Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals.
Japan have been eliminated from the tournament.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi secured a convincing 6-0 victory over Esteqlal Kabul today (Friday) in the 23rd match of the sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League at the Football Federation Stadium in Kabul.
Reza Gholami opened the scoring for Sorkh Poshan Khafi in the fourth minute with a header before Sohrab Afghan doubled the lead in the 21st minute.
Afghan struck again four minutes into the second half to make it 3-0, while Yar Mohammad added the fourth goal in the 52nd minute.
Sorkh Poshan Khafi completed the rout with two further goals in the 68th and 70th minutes, securing a 6-0 win.
The sixth season of the Roshan Afghanistan Champions League is being broadcast live on Ariana Television.
Afghanistan Champions League: Omar Zawak Herat beat Toofan Herat 1-0
Blast in Pakistan’s Dera Ismail Khan kills 11, injures 30
Ariana Afghan Airlines increases Kabul-Delhi cargo flights
Khalilzad questions Pakistan’s commitment to Afghan welfare
India, UN envoy discuss Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs
Saudi energy group signs major Afghanistan deals covering gas exploration and pipeline plans
Trump floats idea of renaming Atlantic or Pacific Ocean
US hits Egyptian bank branches with Iran sanctions as war marks six months
Nepal flood rescue mission enters critical phase as thousands remain missing
Iranian clubs to face Gulf opponents at neutral venues in Asian Champions League Elite
Exclusive interview with Abdul Latif Mansoor, Minister of MRRD
Tawsia: Overview of Afghanistan’s iron mines
Tahawol: Discussion on fresh Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan
Saar: Calls for international support for Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: Opening of the 81st UN General Assembly Session
-
World4 days agoCNN, MS NOW and Politico sue Trump, challenging White House ban
-
Latest News3 days agoAriana Afghan Airlines ranks seventh among 45 Central Asian airlines
-
Latest News4 days agoUN reiterates call for respect for international law after Kunar airstrikes
-
Latest News5 days agoKhalilzad condemns Pakistan airstrikes, says current strategy is not working
-
Regional3 days agoUS and Iran hold first talks since June after Trump’s ‘annihilation’ threat
-
Latest News3 days agoSilk Road highway in Wakhan corridor now reaches the China border
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghan Official: Pakistan’s airstrikes will not go unanswered
-
Regional4 days agoG7 foreign ministers call on Iran to stop arming Houthis