NEW DELHI: Afghanistan kept its Twenty 20 World Cup semifinal hopes alive on Saturday by stunning previously unbeaten Australia with a 21-run victory.
Despite Pat Cummins’ second successive hat-trick, Afghanistan posted 148-6 after being asked to bat first on a tricky pitch. Afghanistan’s superb bowling restricted Australia to 127 runs in their chase.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran forged a 118-run opening partnership, scoring 60 and 51 respectively, before Australia’s bowlers, including Cummins, rallied.
Cummins’ hat-trick highlighted Australia’s bowling performance, but it wasn’t enough.
In response, Australia faltered with the bat. Glenn Maxwell top-scored for Australia with 59 runs. He was the only Australian batter who managed to handle Afghanistan’s bowling attack.
Man of the match Gulbadin Naib led the destruction, taking four wickets to stall Australia’s chase, while Azmatullah Omarzai claimed the final wicket in the last over. The win places Afghanistan level with Australia on two points in Group 1, with India leading the group.
T20 World Cup super 8 India vs Bangladesh
At North Sound, Antigua, Hardik Pandya blasted Bangladesh with a 27-ball half-century, and Kuldeep Yadav’s three wickets secured India’s victory earlier on Saturday. Pandya struck four boundaries and three sixes in an unbeaten 50, leading India to 196-5. Yadav then took 3-19 in four overs, limiting Bangladesh to 146-8.
India topped Group 1 in the Super Eight with two wins from two matches. Afghanistan moved to two points after beating Australia by 21 runs later Saturday but remained third on net run rate, behind Australia. Bangladesh stayed winless.
Final group standings will be decided on Monday when Afghanistan plays Bangladesh and Australia faces India.
T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Points table:
In Group 1, India leads with 4 points, having won both of their matches and boasting a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +2.425. Australia follows with 2 points from 1 win and 1 loss, and an NRR of +0.223. Afghanistan also has 2 points from 1 win and 1 loss, but their NRR is -0.650. Bangladesh is at the bottom with no wins and 2 losses, resulting in an NRR of -2.489.
In Group 2, South Africa is on top with 4 points, having won both matches and an NRR of +0.625. The West Indies are next with 2 points from 1 win and 1 loss, and an impressive NRR of +1.814. England also has 2 points from 1 win and 1 loss, with an NRR of +0.412. The USA is last with no wins, 2 losses, and an NRR of -2.908.
T20 World Cup Group 2 Standings
T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8: Group 2 semi-final qualification scenarios
India and South Africa are leading their respective groups, each with 4 points from 2 matches and an undefeated record.
Bangladesh and USA are at the bottom of their groups with no wins and 0 points.
Teams are ranked within their groups primarily by points, and ties in points are broken using the Net Run Rate.
