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In a remarkable display of cricketing prowess, Afghanistan secured a dominant victory over Uganda by 125 runs in their T20 World Cup 2024 encounter at the Providence Stadium. Afghanistan's comprehensive performance highlighted their growing stature in international cricket, while Uganda, making their debut in a World Cup, faced a steep learning curve.
Match Highlights
Uganda won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to leverage early morning conditions to their advantage. However, Afghanistan's batting lineup, spearheaded by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, proved formidable. The duo put on a scintillating partnership, propelling Afghanistan to a competitive total of 183/5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Masaba and Kyewuta were outstanding as they restricted Afghanistan to 183 after they were 154-0!
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 4, 2024
Captain Brian Masaba also creates history with Uganda's first-ever wicket at the men's T20 WC 👏
🔗 https://t.co/03cEGTNR5b | #AFGvUGA pic.twitter.com/FzwntWHZFb
Key Performers:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: The opener played a pivotal role, scoring a brisk 72 off 45 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes.
- Ibrahim Zadran: Complementing Gurbaz, Zadran added 65 runs off 42 balls, ensuring a solid foundation for Afghanistan's innings.
Despite a strong start, Uganda’s bowlers, led by Brian Masaba and Cosmas Kyewuta, managed to claw back some control in the final overs. However, the target of 184 proved too daunting for Uganda’s batting lineup.
Chasing 184, Uganda's innings faltered early against a disciplined Afghan bowling attack. Fazalhaq Farooqi was the standout performer, claiming a five-wicket haul that decimated Uganda’s top order. His impressive figures of 5/15 in four overs highlighted his potential as a key player for Afghanistan in this tournament.Afghanistan's skipper was emotional during the national anthem in their season opener against Uganda.
— Afghan Atalan 🇦🇫 (@AfghanAtalan1) June 4, 2024
اتله پر هر ميدان وځليږئ!
Live score👉https://t.co/wZTqEEcRPI |#AFGvUGA |#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/NVGRvRxb7u
Uganda’s batsmen struggled to build any significant partnerships, with only Riazat Ali Shah showing some resistance, scoring 22 runs off 28 balls. The rest of the lineup failed to cope with the pace and spin combination of Afghanistan, ultimately being bowled out for a mere 58 in 16 overs.
Bowling Stars:
- Fazalhaq Farooqi: His lethal spell, particularly in the powerplay, dismantled Uganda’s hopes early in the innings.
- Rashid Khan: The Afghan captain contributed with two wickets, ensuring there was no lower-order fightback from Uganda.
Speaking after the match, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. "In T20s, you need to play a good brand of cricket. Afghanistan was there 10-12 years ago at the same stage. It’s something special for us as well," Khan remarked, emphasizing the importance of consistent performance and preparation.
Uganda’s skipper Brian Masaba, while disappointed with the loss, remained optimistic about the learning opportunities this tournament provides. "It's huge for us, our first game at a World Cup. There's a bit of nerves, but we've got to keep focused on the game, try and get the result that we need. The whole country is super proud of what this team has achieved," Masaba stated.
Afghanistan flex their muscles with a huge win in the group of death 💪
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 4, 2024
🔗 https://t.co/03cEGTNR5b | #AFGvUGA pic.twitter.com/qgM3f2LQia
Afghanistan’s emphatic victory sets a strong tone for their campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024. With key victories over major teams like England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in recent tournaments, Afghanistan is emerging as a formidable force in world cricket.
Uganda, on the other hand, will look to regroup and learn from this experience. Their journey to the World Cup has been inspirational, and despite the heavy loss, their presence in the tournament marks a significant milestone for cricket in Africa.
