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The T20 World Cup 2024 has produced some historic results with the USA , Uganda and Canada producing some incredible results. But so far the team of the tournament has been Afghanistan as they top Group C with two dominant victories against Uganda and New Zealand. Starting the tournament as a dark horse team, the Afghans could make a surprising deep run in the tournament.
Starting their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Uganda, Afghanistan put forth a well-rounded effort with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran helping to post 183. Then with the ball, Fazalhaq Farooqi starred to help bundle out Uganda at 58. Rashid Khan's repeated this feat against the Blackcaps as well. Gurbaz once again top-scored to help post a 159-run total before Rashid and Farooqi picked up four wickets each to bundle out the Kiwis at 75.
How can Afghanistan qualify for Super 8 in T20 World Cup 2024?
With these victories, Afgh anistan have a healthy net run rate of +5.225 and have nearly sealed their spot in the Super 8s. Afghans will next face West Indies and Papua New Guinea, Rashid Khan’s side is placed in a very strong position to reach Super 8. A win over either WI or PNG will qualify for the Super 8 stage. Even if they lose the Afghans next two games, they are more likely to enter the next round of the tournament with their positive net run rate.
One of our best T20 performances from us: Rashid Khan
After defeating New Zealand, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan deemed as their best performance in the shortest format. Khan said, "One of our best T20 performances from us, especially against a big team like New Zealand. The wicket wasn't easy to score, Gurbaz and Ibrahim batted really well, it was a superb performance with the bat, ball and the field. I'm really happy to be leading this team."
"I was fine with that (on the slow start), we scored 30 odd in the first six overs, we just chatted about going on from there, playing our natural game, keeping the scoreboard ticking and that's what happened. We knew anything around 160-170, we've the bowlers for these wickets," he continued.
