Report: Afghanistan Crush Uganda in World Cup Opener

Afghanistan Pulverize Uganda in World Cup Opener

The T20 World Cup roared into life with a dominant display from Afghanistan, dismantling debutants Uganda by a staggering 125 runs in Guyana.

Gurbaz and Zadran Lay Down the Gauntlet

Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran set the tone for a ruthless Afghan batting performance. The pair carved up the Ugandan attack, stitching together a mammoth 154-run partnership – the second-highest opening stand in men’s T20 World Cup history, falling just short of the record-breaking 170 set by England’s Jos Buttler and Alex Hales in 2022. Gurbaz blasted a rapid 76 from just 45 balls, while Zadran provided solidity with a well-paced 70 off 46 deliveries.

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Farooqi Takes Centre Stage with Record-Breaking Spell

Uganda’s hopes of a fairytale debut were ruthlessly extinguished by a clinical bowling display from Afghanistan. Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi stole the show, taking a sensational five-wicket haul for a mere nine runs in his four overs. This fiery spell ranks as the fourth-best bowling figures ever recorded in a men’s T20 World Cup, showcasing Farooqi’s devastating pace and accuracy. Captain Rashid Khan and the ever-reliable Naveen-ul-Haq chipped in with two wickets apiece, further tightening the screws on the Ugandan batsmen.

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A Learning Curve for Uganda

Despite the heavy defeat, Uganda can take some positives from their World Cup baptism by fire. Robinson Obuya’s gritty 14 was the lone bright spark in an otherwise subdued batting display. The team will be keen to learn from this experience and bounce back stronger in their upcoming matches.

Focus Shifts to Other Group C Encounters

The focus now shifts to the remaining Group C fixtures later on Tuesday. England and Scotland lock horns in a highly anticipated clash in Bridgetown, while the Netherlands and Nepal go head-to-head in Grand Prairie, Texas. All eyes will be on whether these teams can replicate Afghanistan’s dominant performance or provide a more competitive contest.

Quotes:

  • Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan: “It was the kind of start we wanted as a team. It does not matter who we play, it is about the mindset. The hard work we have done in the last few weeks, the way the openers started and the way our bowlers bowled – it was a great overall team effort.”
  • Uganda captain Brian Masaba: “Pretty special moment for us, hearing our national anthem and seeing our flag at the World Cup. Something I will cherish for the rest of my life. First game at the World Cup, lot of nerves. Good to get that out of the way. We will look to come out and play better next game.”

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