Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Fazalhaq Farooqi emerged as the star performers in Afghanistan's 125-run win in Group C match of the T20 World Cup 2024 against Uganda at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Tuesday, June 4.
After posting a total of 183/5, thanks to brilliant half-century by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan bundled out Uganda for 58 in 16 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi led Afghan's bowling attack as he registered figures of 5/9 with an economy rate of 2.20 despite conceding five wide balls.
Apart from Farooqi, skipper Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq too contributed to Afghanistan's bowling by taking two wickets. For Uganda, Robinson Obuya (14) and Riazat Ali Shah (11) wre the only players to have double-digit scores, while other batters were dismissed for single digit scores.
Chasing a hefty 184-run target, Uganda suffered a batting collapse as Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq ran into their line-up by picking five wickets together and they were reduced to 18/5 in 4.4 overs. Riazat Ali Shah and Robinson Obuya kept Uganda's batting sailing as they formed 29-run stand for the sixth wicket until the former was dismissed at 47/6.
Then, Brian Masaba dismissed for a golden duck at 47/7. Farooqi completed his five-wicket haul by removing Obuya at 48/8. Uganda lost final two wickets in Bilal Hassan and Henry Ssenyondo to be eventually bundled out for 58.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran form a 154-run opening partnership
After putting to bat first by Uganda, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran took the opposition team to the cleaners as they unleashed their firepower.
The opening pair formed a 154-run partnership until Zadran was dismissed for 70 off 46 balls. His innings consisted of nine fours and a six while batting at a strike rate of 152.17. Gurbaz's stay at the crease after he was dismissed for 76 off 45 balls at 156/2. The wicketkeeper-batter's brilliant knock comprised four fours and as many sixes while batting at a strike rate of 168.89.
Najibullah Zadran (2) and Gulbadin Naib (4) were dismissed cheaply and Afghanistan were reduced to 169/4. Then, Azmatullah Omarzai had a short stay at the crease as he was removed for 5. Eventually, Afghanistan were restricted to 184/5, with Mohammad Nabi unbeaten on 14 off 16 balls.