Former India opener Wasim Jaffer feels Afghanistan’s victory over Australia in the ICC T20 Super 8 World Cup cannot be considered a surprise.
Afghanistan and Australia were playing their second Super 8 match of the second round of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies. The Afghans needed a victory to stay alive in the race for the semifinals, in which the two best teams from Groups 1 and 2 will advance to the quarterfinals.
Rashid Khan’s team had produced a clinical batting and bowling performance against the Australians. Mitchell Marsh’s team could have tied the Indian team on 4 points if they had won this match, but now they find themselves in a do-or-die situation.
Should Australia lose against India in their final Super 8 match of the tournament, they will be eliminated. The only team that can help them reach the semi-finals is Bangladesh. If Najmul Hossain Shanto’s team can beat Afghanistan and the Australians lose by a small margin, there will be little chance of winning the 2021 Champions League.
The Baggy Greens have been very strong in the ICC tournaments and know how to come back in the World Cups. Australia’s comeback in the 2023 Cricket World Cup after losing to India and South Africa in their first two league matches is a prime example.
At the end of the tournament, South Africa and India were the rivals whom the Australians defeated in the semi-final and final in Ahmedabad. On their way to the last match, Pat Cummins’ team defeated Afghanistan even after losing 7 wickets while chasing 292 at Wankhede.
What did Wasim Jaffer say about Afghanistan?
Afghanistan’s positive performances in the recent past led Wasim Jaffer not to call their victory over Australia a surprise. Jaffer believes that the Asians are no longer minnows in ICC tournaments as they have come a long way and have improved drastically in terms of skill and knowledge of the game.
Wasim Jaffer took to X (formerly Twitter) and said that Afghanistan has the ability to beat any team in the world on their day. He added that playing to their full potential and showing dedication to winning is the real reason why the Afghans were able to beat the Kangaroos.
“Don’t disrespect Afghanistan by calling this a surprise. Afg are good enough to beat any team on their day. Today they played to their potential and beat a very good Australian team. A fact that should be celebrated. Congratulations and good game.” Wasim Jaffer wrote in X.
Opening batsmen Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the charge with their explosive opening partnership of 118 runs. In the second innings, all-rounder Gulbadin Naib finished off Australia, thanks to his figures of 4/20.
Here is the tweet
Don’t disrespect Afghanistan by calling this a disgrace. Afg is good enough to beat any team on his day. Today they played to their potential and beat a very good Australian team. A fact that should be celebrated. Congratulations and well played @ACBofficials 👏🏼👏🏼 #AUSvAFG pic.twitter.com/e3Ydxap3kC
– Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 23, 2024