Fazalhaq Farooqi bagged career-best figures of 5-9 as Afghanistan thumped Uganda by 125 runs in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

Uganda were dismissed for only 58 in 16 overs while chasing 184 at Providence stadium in Guyana.

Farooqi claimed two wickets in the very first over of the innings which put Uganda on the backfoot during the run-chase. After the early loss of wickets, Uganda weren’t able to recover and were bundled out for a low total.

Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan also claimed two wickets each.

In a sorry batting display, Robinson Obuya was the top scorer for Uganda with 14 runs in 25 balls. 

Uganda had won the toss and decided to bowl first against Afghanistan in the fifth match of the World Cup.

Batting first, Afghanistan finished on 183-5 in 20 overs. 

Afghanistan openers provides a solid start to their side with a 154-run stand for the first wicket. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 76 runs in 45 balls, meanwhile Ibrahim Zadran added 70 in 46.

Gurbaz and Zadran’s opening stand of 154 was the second highest in men’s T20 World Cup history, second only to the 170 partnership between England’s Jos Buttler and Alex Hales at the 2022 World Cup.

However, after the strong start, the Afghans lost their way and lost four quick wickets for just 15 runs which helped Uganda stem the flow of runs.

Captain Brain Masaba was the pick of the bowlers for Uganda with impressive figures of 2-21 in four overs. Cosmas Kyewuta also claimed figures of 2-25.

In the last five overs, Afghanistan were only able to muster 27 runs for the loss of four wickets at a run-rate of 5.40.

Lineups

Uganda: Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa(w), Ronak Patel, Riazat Ali Shah, Dinesh Nakrani, Robinson Obuya, Alpesh Ramjani, Brian Masaba(c), Bilal Hassan, Cosmas Kyewuta, Henry Ssenyondo

Afghanistan : Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Source: Geo Super

--Agencies