Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi delivered a scorching spell following a solid opening partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, propelling their team to a commanding 125-run victory over T20 World Cup debutants Uganda in Guyana.
KKR’s opener Gurbaz (76 off 45 balls) and his partner Zadran (70 off 46 balls) struck fluent fifties to register the 2nd highest opening partnership (154) in the men’s T20 WC. Their stellar performance at the top of the order helped Afghanistan post a challenging 183/5 after being asked to bat first.
Once the opening duo set the foundation, Afghanistan’s bowlers took over, with left-arm pacer Farooqi leading the charge. Farooqi’s exceptional figures of 5/9 decimated the Ugandan batting lineup, securing his maiden five-wicket haul. The debutants were bowled out for a paltry 58 in just 16 overs, sealing a resounding victory for Afghanistan.
Captain Rashid Khan lauded the team’s performance, highlighting the significance of their preparation and mindset. “This is the kind of start we wanted as a team. It doesn’t matter who we play; it’s about the mindset. The hard work we’ve put in over the last few weeks, the way the openers started, and the way our bowlers performed – it was a fantastic overall team effort,” Khan said after the match.
This dominant performance sets a strong tone for Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup campaign, showcasing their potential to be a formidable force in the tournament.
