'Bodybuilder' Gulbadin's marvellous four-fer helps Afghanistan overcome Maxwell scare to avenge agonising Wankhede defeat, keep T20 World Cup dream alive

Life gives you second chances, make sure you make them count. Afghanistan had their shot at redemption and they grabbed it with both hands. Inexperienced at finishing games, Afghanistan with the help of their legendary bowling coach Dwayne Bravo overcame the Glenn Maxwell challenge to avenge the agonizing defeat at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai last year that crushed their dream of reaching the semifinal. Gulbadin Naib made up for all the games he couldn’t close with a four-wicket haul to help Afghanistan beat the mighty Australians for the first time in international cricket. 
 

The 21-run win boosted Afghanistan’s net run rate (NRR) as well. Now the Group 1 is open and Afghanistan have a chance of reaching the semifinal if they beat Bangladesh by a big margin and keep their NRR over Australia. 

Steady start

Earlier, Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl first. Afghanistan got off to a slow start with just 11 runs in the first three overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit the first six in the fourth over. He targetted Josh Hazlewood too and hit him over the fence. Ibrahim hit a few boundaries too as Afghanistan had 40 runs on the board after powerplay overs. Adam Zampa and Maxwell slowed down the scoring rate in the middle overs. Afghanistan were 64 for no loss at halfway stage. 

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Record partnership

In the 13th over, Gurbaz broke free and hit Zampa for a six. He got a reprieve as Matthew Wade missed a stumping. In the 14th over, Afghanistan crossed the 100-run mark. Gurbaz reached his half-century from 44 balls. In the 16th over, Ibrahim completed his half-century from 46 balls.  Gurbaz hit a six off Stoinis but the latter dismissed him in the same over to break the opening partnership. He scored 60 runs from 49 balls. The 118-run partnership is the second-highest opening partnership against Australia in T20 World Cups. 

Collapse in slog overs

In the next over, Zampa struck twice to dismiss Azmatullah Omarzai and Ibrahim. The opener scored 51 runs from 48 balls. Cummins came back into the attack and got the prized wicket of Rashid. In the penultimate over, Karim Janat's catch was dropped. Jant hit a six to rub salt on wounds. In the final over, Cummins dismissed Janat and Naib off consecutive deliveries to reach his hat-trick. Cummins became the first bowler to take a double hat-trick. Nabi hit a boundary off the last ball to help Afghanistan post 148/6.

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Nervy start for Australia

Naveen-ul-Haq set the tone for Afghanistan as he came round the stumps and knocked over Travis Head for a three-ball duck. Mitchell Marsh hit a couple of fours before falling to Naveen's slower one in the third over. In the sixth over, Nabi was introduced into the attack. He delivered with the wicket of David Warner. Australia were 33/3 after six overs. Maxwell kept Australia on track. He smashed Nangeyalia Kharote for the first six of the innings. At the halfway stage, Australia were 70/3. Naib was introduced in the 11th over. He delivered with the wicket of Stoinis who scored 11 runs from 17 balls.

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Maxwell stopped in tracks by Naib

Maxwell targetted Rashid and hit him for a six. Naib struck again by trapping Tim David in front of the stumps. Meanwhile, Maxwell reached his fifty with a six off 35 balls. Despite five wickets falling, Maxwell was looking dangerous. Naib turned the match with the wicket of the 'Big Show'. He got caught at backward point by Noor Ahmad. He scored 59 runs from 41 balls including six fours and three sixes. Rashid in his last over got rid of Matthew Wade. Naib in his last over knocked over Cummins to rule out the possibility of a comeback. Australia got bowled out for 127 with four balls left in the innings as Afghanistan created history.
 

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