T20 World Cup 2024: Afghanistan Secures Super 8 Spot

Afghanistan have booked a spot in the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage, beating Papua New Guinea by seven wickets at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium here on Friday (as per IST).

A Tactical Gamble Pays Off

Choosing to field first after winning the toss, Afghanistan’s decision was immediately put to the test by a determined PNG side. However, Afghanistan’s bowlers quickly took control, with Fazalhaq Farooqi leading the charge. His sharp reflexes not only resulted in an opportunistic run-out but also set him up for a successful spell with the ball, claiming two wickets in quick succession.

Powerplay Dominance

Naveen-ul-Haq joined the fray, claiming two crucial wickets during the Powerplay, including that of Tony Ura. By the end of six overs, PNG was reeling at 30/5, their hopes of a defendable total hanging by a thread.

Rebuilding and Misfortune

Chad Soper and Kipling Doriga attempted to steady the ship for PNG, but miscommunication led to another run-out, further denting their efforts. A stroke of bad luck saw Norman Vanua dismissed in a bizarre fashion, his bat digging into the pitch just short of safety.

Afghanistan’s Ruthless Fielding

Afghanistan’s fielding was relentless, contributing to PNG’s total of just 95 all out. The Afghan bowlers, seven in total, showcased their depth and versatility, strangling PNG’s batting efforts with clinical efficiency.

Farooqi Shines

Farooqi continued his impressive form, ending with figures of 16/3 off four overs and earning Player of the Match honors for his all-around performance.

PNG Fights Back

Despite their low total, PNG showed spirit by claiming both Afghan openers early on. They created half-chances and dared to dream of an upset as Afghanistan recalibrated their chase during the Powerplay.

Naib Anchors the Chase

Gulbadin Naib took charge after drinks, accelerating with boundaries and a match-sealing six. His unbeaten 49 off 36 balls guided Afghanistan to victory with 101/3 at the start of the 16th over.

Looking Ahead

Afghanistan will face fellow qualifiers West Indies in an upcoming fixture on June 18th as both teams fine-tune their strategies for the challenges ahead.

As we celebrate Afghanistan’s triumph and anticipate their next match-up .

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England vs Oman Highlights, T20 World Cup 2024

In a display of sheer dominance, England’s cricket team has once again proven why they are the reigning champions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The match against Oman was nothing short of a spectacle, as England showcased their prowess both with the ball and the bat, leaving Oman in a whirlwind of defeat.

A Pace Barrage to Remember

The English bowlers set the tone for the day with an aggressive pace attack that left the Oman batters reeling. Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, both known for their fiery spells, shared three wickets each, dismantling Oman’s batting lineup for a paltry 47 runs. Wood’s milestone of his 50th T20 International wicket added a golden feather to his cap.

Spin to Win

It wasn’t just pace that had Oman on the back foot; Adil Rashid’s leg-spin was equally lethal. His outstanding four-over spell yielded four wickets for just 11 runs, proving too good for Oman’s tail-enders.

Batters Bring It Home

USA vs South With a meager target of 48 runs, England’s batters wasted no time. Phil Salt’s initial fireworks, despite an early dismissal, set the stage for Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow to finish off the chase in just 3.1 overs. Buttler’s explosive 24* off 8 balls was a clear message to all – England was here to make a statement.

NRR Overhauled and Super 8 in Sight

This victory was crucial for England as it not only kept their title defense hopes alive but also turned Group B’s net run rate (NRR) equation upside down. With this win, England now sits above Scotland in terms of NRR and is poised to qualify for the Super 8 if they can overcome Namibia and if Scotland stumbles against Australia.

Oman’s Journey and Future Prospects

For Oman, this defeat marks the end of their tournament journey. Despite this loss, their earlier performances have shown promise and given hope for the future of Omani cricket.

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