Afghanistan and Australia locked horns with each other in the Super 12 clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022, with it being a do-or-die game for the hosts. The Australian all-rounder, Glenn Maxwell turned out to be the match-winner for the host in the do-or-die game as they defeated Afghanistan by four runs to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Riding on Maxwell’s blitz, Australia managed to post a defendable score of 168/8 batting first and then restricted Afghanistan to 164/7.
Afghanistan all-rounder, Rashid Khan played a valiant knock of 23-ball 48, but it was not enough for Afghanistan as they finished the T20 World Cup 2022 without a solitary win following their four-run defeat against Australia on Friday. Chasing 169, Afghanistan closed on 164/7, ending at the bottom of Group 1.
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Rahmatullah Gurbaz (30 off 17 balls), Ibrahim Zadran, and Gulbadin Naib (39 off 23 balls) starred with the bat as well, but they all went in vain. For Australia, Adam Zampa impressed the most, taking 2-22.
Earlier in the match, Glenn Maxwell showed glimpses of his best, as he managed to play an unbeaten knock of 54 off 32 balls in Australia’s 168/8 after they were asked to bat.
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However, due to disciplined death bowling, led by Naveen-ul-Haq (3-21), Afghanistan managed to restrict Australia to a sub-par total. Mitchell Marsh (45 off 30 balls) chipped in with handy contributions as well, and so did Marcus Stoinis (25 off 21 balls) to recover their side from 54/3. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has also been eliminated from the tournament with Australia’s win.
Brief Scores:
Australia: 168/8 Glen Maxwell 54(32), Mitchell Marsh 45(30) Naveen-ul-Haq 3-21(4) defeated Afghanistan: 164-7 Rashid Khan 48(23), Gulbadin Naib 39(23) Adam Zampa 2-22(4) by 4 runs
Australia (Playing XI): Cameron Green, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (c & wk), Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Usman Ghani, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Darwish Rasooli, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (c), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Here is how the fans reacted to the effort from Rashid Khan:
What a player, what a warrior! Respect for @rashidkhan_19 #AUSvsAFG
— Nongsha Angom (@NongshaAngom) November 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/2001Shafique/status/1588496018756505601?s=20&t=NhAH5GkzqsQ_kYy0DQoqYg
What a piece of cricket
Rashid khan superb batting #AUSvsAFG— Mubeen ul haq (@Whoismubeen) November 4, 2022
WHAT A GAME FROM @ACBofficials #AFGvsAUS
WOW… WOW You are Beauty – @rashidkhan_19
NAINBITINGGGGGG!!! #AUSvsAFG #AUSvAFGAUS 168/8 (20)
AFG 164/7 (20)
Australia won by ONLY 4 runsRashid Khan 48 in 23 – Highest score in T20Is for #RashidKhan pic.twitter.com/K9i9w4nOVL
— Dilbag Koundal ਦਿਲਬਾਗ ਕੌਂਡਲ 🇮🇳 (@dilbag_koundal) November 4, 2022
Afghanistan has made sure even if australia has won they can't reach semi… #AUSvsAFG
— Sourav Roy (@roy183sourav) November 4, 2022
Australia won the match but Afghanistan won hearts. #T20WorldCup2022 #AUSvsAFG
— Shubham Tiwari (@tiwarishubh31) November 4, 2022
Afghanistan gave Australia a real scare. What a game, excellent batting by Rashid Khan. Afghanistan lost by just 4 runs, and won a billion hearts.
Now either Australia or England will make it to the semifinals. England lose tomorrow & Australia into the semis.#T20WorldCup
— Rohan Pramod Manoor (@rohanmanoor) November 4, 2022
Afghanistan gave a scare to Australia. With a bit of luck Afghanistan could have won the match
— Rajeev Narayan 🇮🇳 (@NaarayanRajiev) November 4, 2022
Australia won by 4 runs.
Well fought Afghanistan 👏#AFGvsAUS #T20WorldCup— Naman Thakur (@namanthakur____) November 4, 2022
