T20 World Cup: Rashid Khan’s efforts in useless as Australia pips Afghanistan

Rashid Khan – a member of the Huge Bash League’s Adelaide Strikers for the reason that facet’s Championship-winning summer season of 2017-18 – calls Adelaide his second dwelling. The Afghan all-rounder, nevertheless, did not profit from the identified situations as Afghanistan fell 4 wanting the 169-run goal set by host Australia in a T20 World Cup Tremendous-12 sport. 

With 22 wanted from the final over, Rashid hammered Marcus Stoinis for a few fours and a six, however that was not sufficient. 

Regardless of the hard-fought win, the Australian camp was removed from blissful as its place within the World Cup now hinges on Sri Lanka beating England in Sydney on Saturday. 

To go previous England’s internet run-rate, Australia needed to prohibit Afghanistan to 106 and regardless of dropping a flurry of wickets – Afghanistan was decreased to 103/6 from 99/2 within the house of 9 deliveries – Afghanistan and Rashid refused to collapse.   

Captain Aaron Finch and Tim David have been dominated out with hamstring accidents. And in entrance of 18,672 spectators, pacers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq rocked Australia’s high order. Whereas Farooqi eliminated opener Cameron Inexperienced early on, Naveen (three for 21) dismissed David Warner (28) and a returning Steve Smith in a span of 4 deliveries. 

Mitchell Marsh hit 45 off 30 balls and steadied the ship with a six and two fours off Gulbadin Naib after Warner’s exit, however he was finally caught behind off Mujeeb’s spin. 

Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 54 within the face of some impressed bowling steered the crew to a aggressive whole. Maxwell and Stoinis cast a 53-run stand with the latter smashing Rashid for an enormous six over mid-wicket, earlier than departing. 

In reply, Afghanistan was cruising at 98 for 2 after 13 overs with Gulbadin Naib (39, 23b, 3x4, 2x6) and Ibrahim Zadran constructing a 59-run stand. 

Simply when one other upset loomed giant, Adam Zampa struck. Within the first ball of his final over, a direct hit on the bowler’s finish by Maxwell noticed Gulbadin falling brief. 

Within the subsequent supply, Ibrahim provided a regulation catch to Marsh at brief high quality leg. Two balls later, Najibullah Zadran, too, perished. 

However Rashid, utilizing his expertise, hit a few sixes within the 18th over from Kane Richardson, earlier than happening a carnage within the remaining over. 

The heroics, nevertheless, weren't sufficient and Afghanistan could be upset for failing to upstage the Aussies.