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It was a night to remember for Afghanistan and their fans around the world as the Rashid Khan-led side scripted history by defeating Australia in the Super 8 game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent.
Afghanistan’s batting brilliance and Pat Cummins’ heroics
Afghanistan’s innings was anchored by openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who defied challenging conditions with a 118-run opening stand, setting a record against Australia in T20Is. Despite Pat Cummins‘ impressive spell, including his second consecutive hat-trick, Afghanistan managed to post a competitive total of 148/6. Their ability to weather Cummins’ onslaught and still set a challenging target spoke volumes about their determination and skill.
Afghanistan bowlers’ tremendous show
During Australia’s chase, Afghanistan’s bowlers, spearheaded by Gulbadin Naib and Naveen-ul-Haq, turned the tide in their favor. Australia struggled from the outset, losing key wickets early and failing to build partnerships. Naib’s remarkable figures of 4/20 earned him the player-of-the-match accolade, while Naveen and the rest of the bowling attack provided crucial support. Their disciplined line and length, coupled with strategic variations, kept the Australian batsmen in check throughout the innings. The final blow came in the last over, sealing Australia’s fate at 127 all out and marking a memorable victory for Afghanistan.
Also READ: Fans and experts go wild as Gulbadin Naib-inspired Afghanistan stuns Australia to record a historic win in T20 World Cup 2024
Fans laud Dwayne Bravo’s impact
While the players rightfully received praise for their exceptional performance, fans also lauded the coaching staff, particularly bowling coach Dwayne Bravo. Known for his illustrious career as a former West Indies all-rounder and his astute understanding of the game, Bravo’s coaching has evidently played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s recent success. Under his guidance, Afghanistan’s bowlers have developed into a formidable unit capable of competing with and outplaying top-tier teams like Australia.
Here is how fans reacted:
DJ BRAVO.. DJ BRAVO.. CHAMPION CHAMPION.. 🎶
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) June 23, 2024
DWAYNE BRAVO – THE LEGEND.
He was standing throughout the Afghanistan bowling and kept guiding the team, he was animated and invested emotionally. What a day for this man. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Z6hjOc7uP8
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 23, 2024
MASSIVE CREDIT TO DWAYNE BRAVO…!!!!!
He's taking the charge of Afghanistan team as a bowling coach and he worked hard with Afghanistan team and even standing throughout match today – Take a bow, Bravo. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/GVDV3nscrz
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) June 23, 2024
Jonathan Trott and Dwayne Bravo, possibly the two most diverse characters on earth, creating something stunning together. I mean, that’s just lovely, lovely stuff.
— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) June 23, 2024
CSK blood Dwayne Bravo is the bowling coach of Afghanistan. He deserves a good chunk of credit as well. Afghanistan managed to defeat both New Zealand and Australia in this T20 worldcup. What an achievement! pic.twitter.com/JTUfXSZWII
— ` (@FourOverthrows) June 23, 2024
DWAYNE BRAVO. MENTOR. COACH. LEADER.
ONE OF THE GREATEST T20I PLAYER OF THIS GENERATION. pic.twitter.com/erKRVTGxNu— Aman (@CricketSatire) June 23, 2024
https://twitter.com/im_mahirKhan/status/1804728103349923882
Jonathan Trott and Dwayne Bravo.
– The unsung heroes of the Afghanistan team. 🇦🇫
Wow Fantastic Belief from AFG team 🔥🔥They deserve to be in SemiFinals
It's a Fantastic chance to Take Revenge and Knock out Ausie in Super 8 For India #AFGvsAus #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/b83edu0W84
— ❦ 𝗠𝝝𝗛𝝠𝗡 ꪜɪᴊᴀʏ🦋⃟✮⃝💥 (@MonishM92199459) June 23, 2024
Dwayne Bravo's celebrations show how big this is for Afghanistan 😬🔥
THIS IS BIG ACHIEVMENT 🫡🫡#DwayneBravo #AUSvAFG #T20WorldCup #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/KYbYVn5af2— PANKAJ (@BuzzNeus76170) June 23, 2024
Dwayne Bravo has seen a lot in cricket. Unbridled joy in his celebrations here#T20WorldCup
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) June 23, 2024
Well deserved victory ✌️ ✌️
Dwayne Bravo's celebrations show how big this is for Afghanistan#DwayneBravo #AUSvAFG pic.twitter.com/d0skkYaLJ9— @Imi@Boy (@imramhafeez1) June 23, 2024
#AUSvsAFG is battle of prestige and Self respect.
– The revenge of ODI WC 2023
– AUS denied their tour to AFG and AFG players threatened to leave BBLRedemption at its best. Kudos to Ajay Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo as well.#AFGvsAUS
— Farrago Abdullah Parody (@abdullah_0mar) June 23, 2024
MASSIVE CREDIT TO DWAYNE BRAVO…!!!!!
He's taking the charge of Afghanistan team as a bowling coach and he worked hard with Afghanistan team and even standing throughout match today – Take a bow, Bravo. 🙌#AUSVSAFG #T20WORLDCUP
— JassPreet (@JassPreet96) June 23, 2024
Ngl, This Afghanistan team has transformed into a real team after Jonathan trott entry as a coach, now adding Dwayne bravo as fielding coach such a level, top stuff!
— Sakthi sudhan (@sakthi_sudhan) June 23, 2024
Dwayne Bravo right now🙏#AUSvsAFG pic.twitter.com/H2VyxRqkJZ
— kshitij ahuja (@aaatmanirbhar) June 23, 2024
The celebration by DJ Bravo when Afghanistan made history 🐐 pic.twitter.com/AWmawL0AdI
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 23, 2024
Some iconic wins and DJ Bravo running on to the field is Constant pic.twitter.com/kGlS1Ne7TZ
— 🎰 (@StanMSD) June 23, 2024
This Man only this man
DJ Bravo❤🔥#AUSvAFG #AUSvsAFG #AFGvAUS #AFGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/AX7ejgogyZ— RizzJoD (@Uff_RizzJoD) June 23, 2024
DJ Bravo Supremacy 😎 :-
Champion Bowler Champion Coach pic.twitter.com/mcDXz1ZLcI
— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) June 23, 2024
A Champion knows how to pull off this type of match
DJ BRAVO the unsung hero of Afghanistan Team#INDvsBAN #AUSvsAFG pic.twitter.com/Xratv8oLnx— Lavesh Jain (@lavesh_jain10) June 23, 2024
DJ Bravo enjoying bowlers taking wickets- we’ve seen this before!!#WhistlePodu #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/P3ky43caBr
— Madras Man (@newbatsman) June 23, 2024
The celebration by DJ Bravo when Afghanistan made history 🐐#AUSvsAFG pic.twitter.com/z6DrS7Uf9N
— Vishal vats (@imvishalvats18) June 23, 2024
The unsung heroes of the Afghanistan team. 🇦🇫
– DJ BRAVO & JONATHAN TROTT . pic.twitter.com/3r2UaTZhWx
— Extra Cover (@_extracover_) June 23, 2024
The celebration by DJ Bravo when Afghanistan made history 🐐#AFGVSAUS pic.twitter.com/thWvBiD0kG
— chanchal sarkar (@cricxnews140982) June 23, 2024
What A Game By #Afganistan Cricket Team One Of The Upsets Of T20 WC Ever. Afg was growing Day By Day 🔥🔥🔥. #DJBravo The Coach Changed The Mentality Of #Afgan Played Like A Champion Side Against #Australia Team & Revenge Taken#Rashidkhan #AusvsAfg #AusvAfg #Naib #Maxwell #Nabi pic.twitter.com/5JVikdh9YN
— Influencer Leo Das 🦁 (@Influencer_CSK) June 23, 2024