Whoa! Gurbaz Out for a Duck – That Yorker Was Insane!
Okay, so you know the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Huge game, Afghanistan versus Australia. And let me tell you, the opening moments were WILD. Picture this: Afghanistan wins the toss, chooses to bat first – standard stuff. Then, BAM! Australian left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson bowls a yorker so ridiculously good it’s already viral. Seriously, it's reminiscent of Mitchell Starc's best work. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan's opener, was absolutely stunned. Five balls, and he's gone. A duck. Honestly, who saw that coming?
A Nightmare Start for Afghanistan
It was a disastrous beginning for Afghanistan. Johnson, filling in for the injured Starc, unleashed this absolute screamer – a 140 kph inswinger, right on the money. Gurbaz, who'd been struggling a bit already (only 10 and 6 runs in his last two matches), didn't even get close. The ball zipped under his bat and clattered into the stumps. The look on his face? Pure disbelief. You know how sometimes things just spiral? Yeah, that was it.
Johnson Shines, Gurbaz Struggles
That wicket wasn't just a big early breakthrough; it was a massive blow to Gurbaz's confidence. This duck just compounded his recent woes. Poor guy. But, on the flip side, Johnson's performance was a total highlight reel for Australia. Talk about pace and control – he was on fire!
High Stakes in Lahore
This match was HUGE for both teams. A win would guarantee a spot in the final for the winner – seriously high stakes. Afghanistan, if they lost, were out of the tournament. Australia had a tiny chance of progressing even with a defeat, but the pressure was still immense. Despite the shocking early loss, Afghanistan managed to recover a little, getting to 54/1 after 10 overs with Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal at the crease. It was a small victory in a sea of chaos.
The Teams
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Australia: Travis Head, Matt Short, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
The Aftermath and What's Next
Spencer Johnson's yorker to Gurbaz was undoubtedly the defining moment of this match. The video is everywhere online; people are losing their minds over it. It was a stunning display of skill, and that delivery, just like Starc's, will be talked about for ages. This game had everything – drama, tension, incredible skill. It sets the stage for what could be an unbelievably exciting finish to the tournament. Want to see the incredible yorker yourself? Search "Spencer Johnson Yorker Gurbaz" online – you won't regret it!
