Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja "wasn't surprised" by Afghanistan's stunning win over Australia in the T20 World Cup Super Eight match and praised their strength as a team. Published: June 24, 2024 2:45 PM IST By Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja “wasn’t surprised” by Afghanistan’s stunning win over Australia in the T20 World Cup Super Eight match and praised their strength as a team. Riding on Gulbadin Naib’s four-wicket haul after Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s opening stand of 118, Afghanistan stunned Australia by 21 runs and secured their first-ever win over the cricketing powerhouse.
“Afghanistan is a very strong team. They probably should have won against us in the last World Cup too,” Khawaja said at the Prime’s cafe launch in Melbourne. Reflecting on Australia’s loss to Afghanistan, Khawaja urged the team to move past the defeat and focus on the next challenge.
He underscored the significance of the match against India, considering both teams to be the best in the world. “We still have a chance, we need to beat India. When the pressure is on in the World Cup, Australia usually comes out on top,” he asserted.
For Australia, things are dire after being at two points and their net run rate going down to +0.223 after a shock defeat to Afghanistan. India’s win against Australia will seal a semi-final berth for Men in Blue while a loss would make Australia dependent on the result of the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh match on Tuesday.
Khawa.
