Afghanistan showcased their dominance in the T20 World Cup 2024 with a comprehensive 125-run victory over Uganda at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. Fazalhaq Farooqi’s exceptional bowling performance, which included a five-wicket haul, was instrumental in dismantling Uganda’s batting lineup. Earlier in the day, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran set a solid foundation for Afghanistan, leading to a competitive total of 183/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Match Summary
Venue: Providence Stadium, Guyana
Date: Tuesday, 4th June 2024
Afghanistan: 183/5 (20 overs)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 67 (38 balls)
Ibrahim Zadran: 54 (42 balls)
Uganda Bowling: Brian Masaba 1/24, Frank Nsubuga 2/36
Uganda: 58 all out (12.3 overs)
Top Scorer: Kenneth Waiswa 18 (22 balls)
Afghanistan Bowling: Fazalhaq Farooqi 5/15, Rashid Khan 2/10
First Innings: Afghanistan’s Strong Batting Display
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Afghanistan capitalized on favorable batting conditions. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided a solid start, crafting a partnership of 110 runs. Gurbaz was particularly aggressive, scoring a quickfire 67 off 38 balls, including 8 fours and 3 sixes. Zadran played a more anchoring role, contributing 54 runs off 42 balls.
The middle order built on the strong start, with Najibullah Zadran adding a brisk 28 off 18 balls. Uganda’s bowlers struggled to contain the runs, but Brian Masaba and Frank Nsubuga managed to pick up crucial wickets towards the end. Despite their efforts, Afghanistan posted a formidable total of 183/5.
Second Innings: Farooqi’s Five-Wicket Haul
In response, Uganda’s batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of chasing a steep target. Fazalhaq Farooqi led the Afghan bowling attack with a devastating spell, taking 5 wickets for just 15 runs. His pace and accuracy were too much for the Ugandan batsmen to handle.
Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s star spinner and newly appointed captain, supported Farooqi brilliantly. Khan’s leg-spin yielded 2 wickets for 10 runs, further tightening Afghanistan’s grip on the match. Uganda’s innings was wrapped up for a meager 58 runs in 12.3 overs, with only Kenneth Waiswa showing some resistance with 18 runs off 22 balls.
Key Performances
Fazalhaq Farooqi: Farooqi’s five-wicket haul was the highlight of the match. His ability to extract movement and maintain a consistent line and length left the Ugandan batsmen in tatters.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran: The opening duo’s 110-run partnership laid the foundation for Afghanistan’s commanding total. Their contrasting styles complemented each other, setting up a strong platform.
Rashid Khan: The skipper not only contributed with the ball but also marshaled his troops effectively, ensuring Uganda never got a foothold in the chase.
Uganda’s Journey to the T20 World Cup
Uganda’s presence in the T20 World Cup is a testament to their remarkable journey through the ICC T20 World Cup Africa qualifiers. They secured their spot by outplaying teams like Zimbabwe and Namibia, with a resilient and determined squad led by Brian Masaba. Notably, the team includes Frank Nsubuga, who, at 43, is one of the oldest players to feature in the competition.
Afghanistan’s Prospects
Afghanistan entered the tournament as dark horses, having built a reputation with victories against formidable teams like England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in last year’s ODI World Cup in India. With Rashid Khan at the helm and a balanced squad that includes explosive batsmen and lethal bowlers, Afghanistan is poised to make a significant impact in the T20 World Cup 2024.
The match between Afghanistan and Uganda was a clear demonstration of Afghanistan’s strength and depth in T20 cricket. Their commanding performance with both bat and ball highlights their potential to go far in the tournament. Uganda, despite their heavy loss, can take pride in their journey and the experience gained from competing on the world stage. As the T20 World Cup progresses, fans can expect more exciting and unpredictable cricket, embodying the spirit of the shortest format of the game
write your reviews for us at Google reviews.
