Afghanistan demolish Uganda in winning start
Afghanistan gave Uganda a tough initiation to World Cup cricket, securing a mammoth 125-run victory. Demonstrating their prowess with both bat and ball, Afghanistan set a formidable total of 183/5, thanks to their openers’ explosive performance. Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi then delivered a remarkable spell, claiming a fifer and finishing with the fourth-best bowling figures in men’s T20 World Cup history (5 for 9).
Where Was the Game Won?
The PowerPlay. Afghanistan’s openers blazed away and their bowlers dismantled Uganda’s top order, picking five wickets in this period, effectively ending Uganda’s chances of a memorable evening.
| Parameters | Afghanistan | Uganda |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | 66/0 | 21/5 |
| RR | 11.0 | 3.6 |
| 4s/6s | 9/2 | 3/0 |
Afghanistan’s Innings
PowerPlay: Gurbaz, Zadran Fly Off the Blocks
Phase score – 66/0 [RR: 11.00, 4s/6s: 9/2]
Afghanistan’s openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, started aggressively. Gurbaz set the tone with a six off the second ball, and both batters continued to attack, resulting in a flurry of boundaries. The PowerPlay ended with Afghanistan achieving their highest PowerPlay score in T20 World Cups.
Middle Overs: More of the Same but Record Missed
Phase score – 90/1 [RR: 10.00, 4s/6s: 4/3]
Gurbaz and Zadran kept the momentum, with both reaching half-centuries. Despite a brief resurgence from Uganda, Afghanistan maintained a run rate above 10. Zadran’s dismissal by Masaba broke the opening partnership, which fell 15 runs short of the highest opening stand in T20 World Cup history.
Death Overs: Uganda Claw Back with Wickets
Phase score – 27/4 [RR: 5.40, 4s/6s: 0/0]
Afghanistan stumbled in the death overs, losing four wickets and failing to hit any boundaries. Masaba and Kyewuta’s effective bowling restricted Afghanistan to 183/5, a score still far beyond Uganda’s reach.
Uganda’s Innings
PowerPlay: Afghanistan Pick Five
Phase score – 21/5 [RR: 3.60, 4s/6s: 3/0]
Uganda’s chase started disastrously with Farooqi taking two wickets in the first over. Naveen Ul Haq joined the wicket-taking spree, reducing Uganda to 21/5 by the end of the PowerPlay.
Middle Overs: Farooqi Completes Fifer
Phase score – 35/3 [RR: 3.89, 4s/6s: 1/1]
Riazat Ali Shah and Robinson Obuya tried to stabilize the innings, but Farooqi returned to claim his fifer, further denting Uganda’s chase. His spell ensured Uganda never recovered.
Death Overs: Rashid Wraps Up the Big Win
Phase score – 2/2 [RR: 2.00, 4s/6s: 0/0]
Rashid Khan finished the match with two wickets in the final over of his spell, sealing a dominant win for Afghanistan.
Brief Scores
Afghanistan: 183/5 in 20 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 76, Ibrahim Zadran 70; Brian Masaba 2-21, Cosmas Kyewuta 2-25)
Uganda: 58 in 16 overs (Fazalhaq Farooqi 5-9, Naveen Ul Haq 2-4, Rashid Khan 2-12)
Afghanistan won by 125 runs
What Next?
Uganda have a day’s break before facing Papua New Guinea in Guyana. Afghanistan play their next game on June 7 against New Zealand at the same venue.