Afghanistan had a score to settle with Australia as they took them on in a must-win T20 World Cup 2024 game at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent. In a high-voltage game, tempers flared. Marcus Stoinis won the battle against Rahmanullah Gurbaz but he couldn’t win the war as the wicketkeeper-batter gave it back to him during the unsuccessful run chase.
The animosity started in the 16th over. Australia were still searching for the first wicket. Gurbaz played a length ball back to Stoinis and the latter gave him a stare. Gurbaz smiled and ignored it. On the next ball, he smashed the off cutter for a maximum over deep mid-wicket. On the next ball, Gurbaz played the ball towards fine leg and scored a couple of runs. On the fourth ball of the over, Stoinis got the wicket of Gurbaz as he got caught at deep square leg by David Warner.
Stoinis’ hilarious send-off
As Gurbaz returned to the dressing room after contributing with a 49-ball 60 in the 118-run partnership, Stoinis gave him a funny send-off. It may lead to him facing a sanction from the ICC referee as well.
Stoinis’ slow knock
Later, in the run chase when Stoinis came to bat, Gurbaz had a few words to say from behind the stumps. Stoinis was taking his guard and went on about his business. However, he struggled to score in the middle overs and played too many dot balls. The pressure mounted on him and in the 11th over he went for a pull shot against Gulbadin Naib. The harmless short ball got the better of Stoinis as he got a thick top-edge to it. Gurbaz took a catch running back as Stoinis departed for a 17-ball 11.
Afghanistan leave Australia stumped
Afghanistan ended up losing the match by a margin of 21 runs. Naib bagged a four-wicket haul. He got the wicket of Glenn Maxwell as well. Maxwell scored 59 before losing his wicket to the pacer in the 15th over.
Now, Australia need to beat India in their last Super 8 game to keep their hopes of reaching the semifinals alive.
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