[Watch] Afghanistan players ecstatic in the dressing room after monumental win vs Australia in 2024 T20 World Cup
Afghanistan registered their first-ever victory against Australia in international cricket on Saturday (June 22). They defeated the Australian side by 21 runs in a Super-Eight match of the 2024 T20 World Cup at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent.
The Asian side came close to beating the cricketing giants in the 50-over World Cup last year before Glenn Maxwell pulled off a heist with an astonishing double hundred in the chase of 292.
Afghanistan managed to even things out with a magnificent win in the ongoing T20 World Cup. They batted first and scored 148/6 in 20 overs on the back of half-centuries from Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Gulbadin Naib (4/20) and Naveen-ul-Haq (3/20) then exploited the bowling-friendly conditions and bundled Australia out for 127 in the chase.
International Cricket Council (ICC) gave a glimpse of the players' raw emotions in dressing after the win over Australia.
You can watch the video below:
"We can't do anything about it"- Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan on Australia not playing bilateral series against them
At the post-match press conference, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan talked about Australia not playing bilateral series against them. He acknowledged that some things were not under the control of the players due to political issues and expressed disappointment. On the matter, Rashid said:
"We sportsmen only think about the cricket. Everyone is saying sports bring the nation together and bring everyone together. So, for me, we're always happy to play against any side, and that's the only way where our cricket can improve day by day. Some things which are not under the control of anyone in cricket, and that's something we can't do anything about it."
Rashid further added:
"Wish we could do something, and wish that was a kind of solution for it, we would have been happy, but I don't know what's the solution for that. We're happy to play any side, but as I mentioned earlier, some things, government, and political things, I don't know much about these things, and I don't like it as well."
Afghanistan will square off against Bangladesh in their final Super Eight match of the 2024 World Cup on June 25 in Kingstown. They have to win this match to keep their semi-final hopes afloat.