Audio By Carbonatix
Afghanistan shocked Australia to keep their T20 World Cup hopes alive with an historic 21-run win in St Vincent.
Needing a victory to avoid elimination, Afghanistan posted 148-6 on a challenging surface 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 before 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 taking the prize wicket 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.
Pat Cummins had earlier taken his second hat-trick in as many games - the first player to achieve the feat in T20 internationals - but despite Australia's fightback with the ball, Afghanistan's total proved to be beyond them.
Rashid Khan's side are now firmly back in contention to reach the semi-finals and face Bangladesh in their last Super 8s game (Tuesday, 01:30 BST).
"It's a massive win for us as a team and as a nation," added Rashid. "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."
Meanwhile, Australia take on India in St Lucia (Monday, 15:30 BST) and will likely need to win to progress to the last four.
Latest Stories
-
COMAC board meets today as industry reopens debate on fuel price floor
1 hour -
Bullets will not break us – Lands Ministry vows relentless war on galamsey after NAIMOS officer shot
2 hours -
17 arrested in Tamale drug bust
2 hours -
Fuel price cuts were expected – COMAC explains sudden drop amid GOIL–Star Oil price war
2 hours -
Snap settles social media addiction lawsuit ahead of trial
3 hours -
Cow astonishes scientists with rare use of tools
3 hours -
Spat deepens between Elon Musk and Ryanair’s O’Leary
3 hours -
UK defends Chagos deal after Trump calls it ‘act of great stupidity’
3 hours -
The Indian couple who won a $200,000 settlement over ‘food racism’ at US university
3 hours -
Alleged scam mastermind arrested after being exposed by BBC
3 hours -
Trump doubles down on Greenland, saying there is ‘no going back’
4 hours -
Driver killed in Spain train crash days after high-speed collision
4 hours -
Man who admitted killing Japan’s ex-PM Shinzo Abe set to be sentenced
4 hours -
‘I did not kill my friend’ – declares key suspect in Immigration officer’s murder case
4 hours -
19-year-old in trouble for stealing co-worker’s cash, mobile phones Â
4 hours
