Australia’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign has taken an unexpected twist. After suffering their first-ever defeat to Afghanistan, their big-game mentality will be put to the test against India. The pressure is on as they face a quick turnaround, playing a day game in St Lucia after a late finish in St Vincent.
Even a victory may not secure their spot in the semi-finals. It’s a stark reminder of how swiftly fortunes can change in cricket. Had they triumphed over Afghanistan, progress would have been assured alongside India.
Australia faced an unexpected setback in their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. In a thrilling encounter, Afghanistan stunned the previously unbeaten Australian team by 21 runs. The match took place during the Super Eight stage of the tournament on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at the Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent. Here’s a summary of the match:
- Toss: Australia won the toss and chose to field first.
- Afghanistan’s Innings: They posted a total of 148/6 in 20 overs, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (60) and Ibrahim Zadran (51) leading the way.
- Australia’s Chase: Despite Glenn Maxwell’s fighting half-century (59 off 41), Australia fell short, managing only 127/10 in 19.2 overs.
- Player of the Match: Gulbadin Naib (AFG) claimed 4/20 with the ball and played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s historic victory.
This unexpected loss has intensified the race for the semi-finals in Super 8 Group 1. While India leads the group with four points from two games, both Australia and Afghanistan are tied with two points each. Bangladesh remains winless in their two matches.
