Afghanistan's match-winner Gulbadin Naib was overjoyed after their landmark victory over Australia on Sunday, June 23. Naib played a pivotal role in this triumph, as Afghanistan delivered a stunning performance against the 2021 T20 World Cup champions in St. Vincent. Naib’s bowling was instrumental, as he claimed 4 wickets for just 20 runs in his 4 overs, dismantling the Australian batting lineup.
After the historic win, Naib was named Player of the Match. He expressed his elation, noting that they had been anticipating this moment for a long time. The all-rounder highlighted the significance of this victory for Afghanistan cricket and extended his gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support. Naib also thanked captain Rashid Khan for having the confidence in him to bowl his full quota of overs.
"We had been waiting for this for a long time. It's a great moment for me, my nation, and my people. This is a significant achievement for our cricket. I am grateful to our fans for supporting our cricket journey. We've worked hard over the past two months, and the results are evident today. The pitch wasn’t easy to bat on, with the ball bouncing a lot. I managed to take two early wickets and continued that momentum. Special thanks to Rashid for trusting me," said Naib.
'Our journey starts now'
With this victory, Afghanistan has now revitalized Group 1, putting themselves in a position to potentially reach the semi-finals, possibly at Australia’s expense. Naib emphasized that they have been playing strong cricket since the ODI World Cup last year and believes their journey in this tournament is just beginning.
"This victory was the result of a complete team effort. The way Naveen bowled and the way Gurbaz and Ibrahim batted were outstanding. Finally defeating Australia is a monumental achievement for Afghanistan cricket, given our relatively short history. We played impressive cricket in the last World Cup, and this year we've already beaten New Zealand in the group stage. Our journey starts now. We have excellent management, and I feel fortunate to be part of this team. Every game is crucial; we'll rest tomorrow and strategize for the next match," Naib added.
Afghanistan's next challenge will be against Bangladesh on June 25 in their final Super 8 game.
