Australia opening batter in Tests, Usman Khawaja, praised Rashid Khan and his team after Afghanistan's 21-run victory over Australia in the Super 8 match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 held in St. Vincent on Sunday, on June 23. This victory was Afghanistan’s first-ever win over Australia in international cricket and served as their revenge exactly eight months after their heart-wrenching defeat to the Pat Cummins-led Australian team in the 2023 ODI World Cup at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Interestingly, Usman Khawaja also expressed his disappointment about the restrictions imposed by Cricket Australia on hosting Afghanistan's cricket team in Australia. Khawaja praised the Afghan players as an inspiration and voiced his disappointment over the lack of bilateral series between the two sides.
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Sharing Rashid Khan’s post on X (formerly Twitter), Khawaja wrote, “Well done Brother. Better team on the day. You boys are an inspiration for so many back home and abroad. So sad we can't see you all play in Australia.”
Why Aren't There Any Australia vs Afghanistan Bilateral Series?
Cricket Australia postponed a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, originally set for March 2023, citing concerns over the deteriorating situation for women and girls in Afghanistan following the Taliban's assumption of power in the region. Their stance shifted after there was potential improvement in conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan. Cricket Australia agreed to schedule matches against Afghanistan in August, but the series was subsequently postponed once more.
Australia Get Humbled By Afghanistan In T20 WC 2024 Super 8s
Afghanistan achieved a memorable 21-run victory over the formidable Australia in the T20 World Cup. Gulbadin Naib's four-wicket haul set the tone for the Asian nation. Using slower balls effectively on a challenging batting pitch, Afghanistan successfully defended their total of 148-6, securing their first-ever win over Australia in international cricket. Australia were dismissed for 127 in 19.2 overs, despite Glenn Maxwell’s fifty.