Afghanistan won Australia

The rivalry between Afghanistan and Australia in cricket has deep roots, intensified by political undertones. Australia had previously refused to play a bilateral series against Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021, taking a stand against the regime's restrictions on women playing sports. This background added tension to the Afghanistan vs. Australia 50-over World Cup game in India last year and was rekindled in the recent T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match.

Moments after Afghanistan's historic 21-run victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup Super 8 game at Kingstown, a video emerged on the team’s social media account that encapsulated the emotions of the Afghan nation. The video featured captain Rashid Khan, 25, and Man of the Match Gulbadin Naib, 33, passionately singing a Pashto verse. The verse, as translated by Kandahar-born Delhi University PhD student and cricket fan Nazamudin Asar, conveyed a powerful message: “Roll up your sleeves, come celebrate and dance. Poor people like us rarely get the chance to enjoy, as happiness belongs to those who are strong and rich…’”

In the Afghan city of Khost, assistant coach Raees Ahmadzai, who missed the game due to knee surgery, celebrated the victory with thousands on the streets, chanting “Afghanistan Zindabad.” Ahmadzai emphasised the significance of the win, especially against Australia, who had previously refused to play a series against Afghanistan.

Skipper Rashid Khan subtly mentioned the political complexities surrounding Australia's boycott, expressing his desire for more cricketing engagement between the two nations. Back in Khost, Ahmadzai shared the emotional post-match discussions, praising the team’s composure under pressure and joking about Gulbadin's muscle-flexing celebration after taking wickets.

Prominent cricket figures like Brian Lara and Rashid Latif had predicted Afghanistan as a semi-finalist, acknowledging the team’s potential. Latif, the first head coach of the Afghanistan team in 2010, shared anecdotes from the early days of Afghan cricket, highlighting the team’s journey from training next to an American chopper to becoming a formidable cricketing nation.

Afghanistan cricket has come a long way, retaining the resilience and determination from its war-torn past. Ahmadzai credited this spirit to the Afghan DNA of not giving up, which is deeply instilled in the Rashid Khan-led team. The victory over Australia is not just a cricketing achievement but a symbol of hope and pride for Afghanistan.