Afghanistan started their T20 World Cup campaign with a comprehensive 125-run victory over debutants Uganda thanks to a blazing stint from pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, following up on the good opening combination of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran.
Afghanistan started their T20 World Cup campaign with a comprehensive 125-run victory over debutants Uganda in Guyana thanks to a blazing stint from pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, following up on the good opening combination of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. After being asked to bat, Afghanistan amassed a formidable 183/5, but Kolkata Knight Riders opener Gurbaz (76 off 45 balls) and his partner Zadran (70 off 46 balls) blasted flowing fifties to register the second best opening partnership (154) in the men’s T20 World Cup. The Ugandan batting line-up was then completely destroyed by left-arm bowler Farooqi (5/9) as he claimed his first five wickets, sending the rookies crashing out for 58 in just 16 overs.
“The kind of start that our squad desired. It is all in the mindset, regardless of who we play. The largest cricket figure in the nation, captain Rashid Khan, stated following the game, “The hard work we have done in the last few weeks, the way the openers started, and the way our bowlers bowled – it was a great overall team effort.”
The skipper, who himself finished off the tail, expressed his enthusiasm for leading the country at a global event.
“I’m incredibly delighted and excited to be captain of the team in the World Cup. I’m liking it so far, and I have some challenging games ahead of me. This team’s beauty lies in that. The best T20 spinner in the world stated, “We have so many options, and that makes it easy as a captain.”
Twice, seamer Farooqi came close to recording a hat-trick. With the new ball, he was deadly. He was struck for a four off the first delivery, but then he produced an incredible in-swinger that crashed onto the stumps after clipping Ronak Patel’s bat. Then, off successive balls, he trapped Roger Mukasa leg before wicket with another in swinger.
“I admit that I’ve missed a few opportunities to get the hat-trick (laughs). While accepting his “Player of the Match” award, Farooqi stated, “Something that is not under my control and if I get a chance again, I will try to get that hat-trick.”
In the thirteenth over, Farooqi made a comeback and claimed three more wickets to record his highest-ever T20I career total.
Before causing captain Brian Masaba to nick the ball, which an eager Gurbaz collected, he initially tricked Riazat Ali Shah with a slower delivery, bowling him out.
Despite missing out on a hat-trick once more, he nabbed his fifth victim in the final ball of the over.
“I wanted to hit the wickets, so I kept things simple. Franchise cricket is a great way to develop and prepare for big events. Playing with so many elite players helps you handle pressure and place your bowling strikes,” stated Farooqi, an IPL veteran who has represented SRH in past years.
Afghanistan’s openers got off to a great start earlier thanks to a quick outfield and a ball that came into the bat wonderfully. Gurbaz was the first to take the offensive, hitting the opening ball of the innings for a six.
Zadran immediately followed suit, smashing Dinesh Nakrani for four consecutive boundaries in the sixth over.
Gurbaz, who hit four sixes and four boundary runs, reached his fifty in the ninth over with just 28 balls. While in the 12th over, Zadran, who had hit the ball to the fence nine times and over it once, reached his half century.
Their problems were made worse by Uganda’s subpar fielding.
Gurabaz was dismissed with no ball in the 14th over, allowing Afghanistan to quickly reach 150 runs.
Though it appeared that the pair would bat for the entire 20 overs, Ugandan bowlers rallied and prevented the total from reaching 200.
Afghanistan will face a quality New Zealand team in their next match, which will be immensely tougher.
“We have a big game coming up. It is important to keep things basic,” Rashid remarked.
