Afghanistan beat Australia by 21 runs in a crucial Super 8 match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 to stay alive in the tournament.
Chasing a target of 149 runs, Australia were all out for 127 runs in 19.2 overs.
This is the first loss for Australia against Afghanistan in six international matches.
Apart from Glenn Maxwell's 59 runs in 41 balls, it was a sorry batting display from Australia as the second highest scorer in the innings were the extras with 16.
Naveen-ul-Haq claimed figures of 3-20 but the star of the show was Gulbadin Naib, who clinched 4-20 and was declared Player of the Match.
"Thanks to dear Allah. We've waited for a long time. Big moment for our nation and our people. I have no words to say but thanks to the fans who have supported us in our career and cricket journey," Naib said after the match.
"I learnt from the batting innings on how to bowl. Thanks to Rashid for trusting me. It's a whole team effort, Rahmanullah, Zadran, and also Naveen for the momentum. It is a great achievement for Afghanistan, we have achieved many things in last ten years but this is a big achievement.
"In the last World Cup we played well and in this World Cup we beat New Zealand too. Australia are a champion side so for us it is a big tournament. Lucky to have this kind of team and management."
Naib is the first man in the World Cup history (ODI and T20 combined) to take four wickets as an 8th bowler. Afghanistan used eight bowlers tonight, Naib was the last one.
Earlier, Australia won the toss and decided to bowl first against Afghanistan.
Batting first, Afghanistan posted 148-6 in their allotted 20 overs courtesy fifties by openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran.
Gurbaz (60 off 49) and Zadran (51 off 48) become the first-ever pair with three century stands in a T20I series after nothing up 118 runs for the first wicket.
Pat Cummins led the charge for Australia at the backend of the innings after picking up another hat-trick. The pacer now has two hat-tricks in two back-to-back games and on both occasions it was across two different overs.
Cummins dismissed Rashid Khan, Karim Janat and Gulbadin Naib to claim a hat-trick.
Cummins and Zampa claimed three and two wickets, respectively, with both conceding 28 runs in four overs.
Ashton Agar came in for Mitchell Starc for Australia due to the spin-friendly conditions.
A couple of changes were also made by Afghanistan with Nangeyalia Karote and Karim Janat coming in for Najibullah Zadran and Hazratullah Zazai.
Teams:
Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
