ICC World Cup 2019
Match 4 - Australia Vs Afghanistan
Champions Vs Under(estimated)dogs
Every world cup have one or two underdog team, sometimes more than two. East Africa, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Canada, UAE, Kenya, Scotland, Ireland, Netherland and Bermuda these countries were consider as minnows in world cups. Sometimes they may get a big kick from big teams and the winning big team will create record. But Sometime they may kick those big teams and leaving world cup with full satisfaction more than the team who won world cup. Only few among them impressed us world cups like Ireland and Kenya. Few countries became threat to big teams some years later like Srilanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. But only one team which made everyone to focus on them in very short span. Only team like that is Afghanistan. They have already played in 2015 WC and won a match too. But within this 4 years gap they developed much and came in top 10. They qualified for world cup by playing qualifier tournament. But remember they beat experienced Zimbabwe and Ireland in that. Many people expecting for Elite Clash of legends. But we are expecting these underdogs match with top teams.
In the very first match itself Afghanistan faced the defending as well as 5times world champions Australia. Its a battle between maximum appearance in world cup vs minimum. In 2nd and 3rd match experienced Pakistan and Srilanka went all out for 105 and 136 runs respectively. Definitely both should learn from Afghanistan team, how to play in big matches. The way they tackled Aussie bowling attack was more than expected.
After the toss Afghanistan bat first with Mohammed Shazhad and Zazai. But both went for duck from Starc and Cummins. Afghanistan were 5/2 at that time. Rahmat Shah and Shahidi put some partnership of 51 runs for 3rd wicket. They know they cant handle Aussie bowling attack. But they want to show how much strong they are. Key Player Nabi went for 7 runs. Rahmat Shah fell for 43 runs as 4th wicket just before Nabi. Again Afghanistan were in critical situation 77/5. Everyone though they wont even cross 120 runs with tail enders. But Captain Naib, Najibullah Zadran and Rashid Khan trio failed their predictions and helped Afghanistan crossing 200+ runs. Najibullah scored half century for Afghan. Naib and Rashid scored 31 and 27 runs respectively. Even Mujeeb scored 13 runs from 9 balls at end. They went all out for 207 runs. In other words Afghanistan survived and fought for 38.2 overs that too against Australia. Were Pakistan survived only 21.4 overs and Srilanka for 29.2 overs. We were confusing now who is underdogs???? Cummins and Lyon picked 3 wickets each, Stoinis picked 2 and Starc with 1 wicket.
Defending Champions started the chase with skipper Aaron Finch and David Warner. After a ban of one year Warner playing directly in world cups for Australia. We know Australia are 5 times world champions. But each and every time they are proving why they are champions. They have to chase a target of 208 runs against a team who having lot of quality spinners like Rashid, Mujeed and Nabi. Entire world know Australian were weak against spinners except few batsmen like Ponting, Clarke and Mike Hussey. Even Aussie know about their weakness. So only they were focusing on not losing wickets and rotating singles. Finch alone played some big shots whenever he got loose balls. But Warner, he knows if rotate singles they can win easily. So did that. Aaron Finch scored 66 runs from 49 balls with 6 boundaries and 4 sixes. He gone as first wicket when team score was 96 runs. Then see how Warner played at that time he scored only 28 runs. Usman Khawaja came to bat at no3. Khawaja survived for few overs and was got by lbw from Rashid Khan. Ex captain and co banned player of Warner, Steve Smith joined hands with him. But before the end of climax Mujeeb Ur Rahman showed a twist in this match. When Australia were 205/2 wickets, Mujeeb took Smith wicket caught by third man Zazai. In the very next ball itself Glenn Maxwell smashed a boundary and finish the match like why you guys are waiting for??? It seems like Maxwell needs to go room earlier as much as.
Man of the Match: David Warner
May be Afghanistan lost the game. But they were not underdogs, they are fighting till end and not accepting the defeat until the end of match. Definitely its a very good sign for Afghan cricket. That small country from Asia may reach many heights in next world cup. Its time for ex-champions Srilanka and Pakistan not to give up till the end. Aussie may won the match, but Afghans made their victory delay. Thats their biggest achievement in this world cup.
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