Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan hilarously crashed his teammate Fazalhaq Farooqi's post-match interview after side defeated Papua New Guinea in the T20 World Cup 2024 Group C Clash at the Brain Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, June 14.
Afghanistan officially secured their berth for the Super 8 stage with a seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea. With a mere target of 96, Afghanistan chased it down with 29 balls to spare. Former skipper Gulbadin Naib was the top-scorer as he played an unbeaten innings of 49 runs off 36 balls balls and formed an beaten 46-run partnership for the fourth wicket Mohammad Nabi, who scored 16 runs off 23 balls to take the team past the finishing.
Naib hit a winning six when Afghanistan required just 1 off 30 balls to achieve a 96-run target.
Fazalhaq Farooqi was among the star performers for Afghanistan as he picked three while conceding just 12 runs in 4 overs to bundle out Papua New Guinea for 95. The 23-year-old was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant performance. While Farooqi was giving the interview to Ian Bishop, Rashid Khan tried to distract him and make him laugh.
He couldn't help himself from getting distracted while speaking and said 'you shut up' to Rashid Khan. Seemingly, the Afghanistan skipper was impressed by Fazalhaq Farooqi's English. The video of the same was shared by ICC on its Instagram handle
Fazalhaq Farooqi has been in a sensational form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The 23-year-old is currently the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, with 12 wickets, including a five-wicket haul, at an average of 3.50 and an economy rate of 3.70. Interesingly, no other bowlers have managed to pick 10 wickets or more apart from Farooqi.
'We've played some good cricket': Fazalhaq Farooqi
Fazalhaq Farooqi said that Afghanistan played a good cricket in the group stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. He lamented for not getting the opportunity to play in the IPL, but managed to perform well for his team in the showpiece.
"I think we've played some good cricket. I was in the IPL, unfortunately I didn't get a game, so I came here and gave myself the strength to come and perform." Farooqi said at the post-match presentation.
"I have two plans while bowling - just get wickets if there's any swing or seam, if there's no movement, I just bowl in the right areas and keep it simple. We just need to give our 100% and do our best (in the Super 8)." he added.
