Afghanistan Vs Uganda, T20 World Cup Highlights: Farooqi-Powered AFG Canter To 125-Run Win

Welcome to the highlights of our coverage of match 5 of ICC T20 World Cup 2024, played between Afghanistan and Uganda at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, West Indies on Tuesday, June 4. The match saw Afghanistan outclass Uganda by a thumping 125-run margin. Brian Masaba's side, who are debuting at the 20-over showpiece, fought back well to restrict the Afghans to a 183-run total in the first innings. But the sheer gulf in class was made apparent in the second innings, when Fazalhaq Farooqi produced an outstanding display of seam bowling, returning career-best figures of 5-9 in four overs to help bowl out Uganda for a lowly 58-run total. Catch the highlights of the AFG vs UGA match at T20 WC 2024, right here. (Match Report | Scorecard)

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik. Reserves: Sediq Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Saleem Safi.

Uganda: Brian Masaba (c), Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa, Cosmas Kyewuta, Dinesh Nakrani, Fred Achelam, Kenneth Waiswa, Alpesh Ramjani, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Bilal Hassun, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Juma Miyaji, Ronak Patel. Travelling Reserves: Innocent Mwebaze, Ronald Lutaaya.

The two teams have never locked horns in T20 internationals before, so another first is in the offing among all the other ones for Uganda, who are playing their first-ever World Cup game across formats.

Uganda skipper Brian Masaba has won the toss and elected to bowl first against Afghanistan.

Playing XIs

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

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

Uganda skipper Brian Masaba: "Looks like a pitch where we are not sure what's a good score and we would like to chase. (On his team's World Cup debut) The idea is to grow cricket in the world. We are very excited to be here. We needed to get information about the conditions and the previous game here helped us do that."

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan: "In T20s, you need to play a good brand of cricket. Afghanistan was there 10-12 years ago at the same stage, it's something special for them and for us as well. Afghanistan are famous for the quality spinners and we are well prepared for the conditions."

We are minutes away from the start, and as is customary, the two teams walk out for the national anthems. An extra special occasion for Uganda, this being their maiden appearance at any World Cup.

The action begins with Uganda opting for the left-arm spin of Alpesh Ramjani straight away. But Afghanistan's star opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz takes to him straight away, lofting him cleanly over the long-off fence for a glorious six. The Afghans are away with 12 runs on the board in the first over.

The Afghan openers are making full use of the powerplay restrictions, as well as the nerves and relative inexperience of Uganda. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is striking the ball sweetly and amid several free-flowing drives and cuts, has raced away to an unbeaten 30 runs off just 14 balls.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is going strong. The Afghanistan opener has reached his half-century in 28 balls and is looking good for many more. His opening partner Ibrahim Zadran has also picked up the pace now as the Afghans have got to 90 runs without the loss of any wicket, in nine overs.

Ibrahim Zadran is now past the fifty-run mark too as Afghanistan are cruising at the moment, with 120 runs rattled off in 12 overs and all 10 wickets in the bag. A 200-plus total on the cards for sure, unless Uganda can produce a flurry of wickets.

Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah have departed in a space of three deliveries as Uganda finally get the breakthrough. Nevertheless, Afghanistan have a star-studded batting line-up and with the last four overs to come, will go all out in their quest for a 200-plus total.

Najibullah Zadran and Gulbadin Naib have also been dismissed, as Uganda show some fight to pull things back in the death overs. Let's see how many Afghanistan get from here.

Uganda's fightback continues as Afghanistan are unable to break the shackles in the 20th over. Just six runs result as what looked like a 200, even 220-plus total is now restricted to 183. Captain Brian Masaba and Cosmas Kyewuta are the pick of the bowlers for Uganda, claiming two wickets apiece and giving away less than seven runs per over.

After a shaky end to their innings, Afghanistan strike back with the ball right away. Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi takes back-to-back wickets in the very first over, and almost picks up a hat-trick as Riazat Ali Shah's defensive shot trickles past the stumps.

The processions of Uganda batters continues in the powerplay. After Farooqi's twin strike, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq too scalp wickets to leave Uganda four down with just 18 runs on the board in the fifth over.

Another wicket has fallen, and the runs have entirely dried up. Uganda are five down with just 26 runs scored in 7.4 overs. The 184-run target looks like a distant dream right now, as Afghanistan are bowling with discipline and demonstrating the gulf in class.

Uganda haven't lost any more wickets in the last six overs, but with the stranglehold employed by Afghanistan, the chase of 184 is virtually out of question now. The required run rate is nearing 17 and it is all about showing some resistance from here on, for Uganda.

Fazalhaq Farooqi finishes with astounding figures of 5-9 off his four overs. An incredible performance, in which he conceded a boundary off his very first ball and just gave away four more runs in the remaining 23, picking up five wickets in the process. Uganda, meanwhile, are eight wickets down and nearing a massive defeat.

And that's that. Skipper Rashid Khan picks up wickets off consecutive deliveries in the 16th over as Uganda are bowled out for a measly 58 runs. That hands Afghanistan a handsome 125-run victory.

Fazalhaq Farooqi: I have missed it (getting the hat-trick) a few times. Something that is not under my control and if I get a chance again, I will try to get that hat-trick. I tried to bowl a few balls and then see what was happening. I tried to make the most of the swing early on. Later, I tried to bowl the slower balls and mix it up. Kept it simple and wanted to hit the wickets. Playing franchise cricket helps you improve and helps on the big stage as well. Playing with so many big players, it helps in dealing with pressure and in bowling in the right areas.

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. Once the game starts, not a lot of time to think and feel stuff. They got off to a pretty good start and then it was about fighting back. It was very important how we fought back and full credit to the boys for that. (On what they are taking away from this match) Full credit to Afghanistan. They are one of the top bowling sides in the world, tough to get away. We did not bat at 100% and we can do better than this. We will look to bounce back against PNG.

Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan: The kind of start we wanted as a team. 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. (On leading the team) Super exciting, proud feeling to be leading the team in the World Cup. Enjoying it so far, and have some tough games coming up. That is the beauty of this team. We have so many options and that makes it easy as a captain. Some bowlers, if they don't have a good day, we have options. Good thing is they always deliver. Lucky to have those bowlers who are happy to bowl in any stage. Last World Cup (ODI WC in 2023), that gave us so much confidence. That gave us the belief that we are capable of beating any side at any time. It is not just about the skill and the talent, it is also about the belief, and concentrating on what we are doing rather than thinking of what the opposition is doing. (On facing New Zealand) Big game for us. It is about keeping things simple.

That concludes our coverage of the Afghanistan vs Uganda T20I. We will be back with live updates from the next T20 World Cup clash, between England and Scotland. Until then, goodbye.