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Afghanistan kicked off their T20 World Cup campaign with a 125-run victory over Uganda in Guyana. The match’s highlights were a brilliant opening partnership and a devastating bowling display by Fazalhaq Farooqi.
ICC T20 World Cup Match 5
Match Recap: Afghanistan vs. Uganda
Toss: Uganda won the toss and elected to field first.
Afghanistan’s Dominant Batting Performance
Uganda’s captain, Brian Masaba, opted to bowl first, hoping to restrict Afghanistan to a manageable total. However, Afghanistan’s opening pair had different plans. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran started aggressively, using favourable batting conditions.
Gurbaz set the pace with various boundaries, and Zadran soon joined him in dispatching the ball to all parts of the ground. The pair exploited Uganda’s erratic bowling, racing to 66/0 by the end of the powerplay, scoring an impressive 11 runs per over. Gurbaz, in particular, was in scintillating form, bringing up his maiden T20 World Cup fifty in the ninth over, featuring four sixes and two fours.
By the tenth over, Afghanistan had crossed the 100-run mark. Bilal Shah’s over, which yielded 25 runs due to five no-balls and five wides, further propelled Afghanistan’s total. The partnership of 154 runs between Gurbaz and Zadran was a record-breaking effort, becoming the second-highest opening stand in Men’s T20 World Cup history.
Top Five Highest Opening Partnerships in Men’s T20 World Cup
| Batter 1 | Batter 2 | Team | Opposition | Year | Stand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Hales | Jos Buttler | England | India | 2022 | 170* |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | Uganda | 2024 | 154 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Babar Azam | Pakistan | India | 2021 | 152* |
| Devon Smith | Chris Gayle | West Indies | South Africa | 2007 | 145 |
| Salman Butt | Kamran Akmal | Pakistan | Bangladesh | 2010 | 142 |
After the fall of Zadran to Masaba, Uganda’s bowlers managed to regain some control, with Alpesh Ramjani and Masaba picking up two wickets each. However, Afghanistan still managed to post a formidable 183/5.
Uganda’s Struggle Against Afghanistan’s Bowlers
Chasing 184, Uganda faced a daunting task compounded by Fazalhaq Farooqi’s fiery opening spell. He removed Ronak Patel (4) and Roger Mukasa (0) with consecutive deliveries, missing a hat-trick by a whisker as Riazat Ali Shah barely survived. Mujeeb Ur Rahman added to Uganda’s woes by dismissing Simon Ssezai for 4.
Naveen-ul-Haq further decimated Uganda’s top order by taking two wickets in his first over, leaving them reeling at 18/5. Riazat Ali Shah and Robinson Obuya provided a brief resistance. Still, Farooqi returned to dismantle the middle order, finishing with exceptional figures of 5/9, the fourth-best in Men’s T20 World Cup history. Skipper Rashid Khan delivered the final blows, wrapping up Uganda’s innings for a paltry 58.
Best Bowling Figures in Men’s T20 World Cup
| Player | Team | Opponent | Year | Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajantha Mendis | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe | 2012 | 6/8 |
| Rangana Herath | Sri Lanka | New Zealand | 2014 | 5/3 |
| Umar Gul | Pakistan | New Zealand | 2009 | 5/6 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Afghanistan | Uganda | 2024 | 5/9 |
| Sam Curran | England | Afghanistan | 2022 | 5/10 |
Farooqi’s spell was a masterclass in fast bowling, earning him the Player of the Match accolade. His figures not only decimated Uganda but also marked a personal career-best.
Conclusion
Afghanistan’s comprehensive victory over Uganda highlights their potential in the T20 World Cup. Afghanistan has sent a strong message to their competitors with a formidable opening batting pair and a lethal bowling attack led by Fazalhaq Farooqi. Their clinical performance in batting and bowling makes them a team to watch as the tournament progresses. Afghanistan’s next match will be crucial as they build on this dominant display and continue their journey in the T20 World Cup with confidence and momentum.
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