Usman Khawaja on Afghanistan’s win over Australia: ‘They probably should have won against us in the ODI World Cup too’

Australia batter Usman Khawaja lauded Afghanistan’s spirited T20 World Cup 2024 win over his side in St Vincent on Sunday, a result which has put the former champions on the brink of a Super 8 exit.

The Australian Test opener did not see the result as a one-off affair, highlighting the strength of the Rashid Khan-led team.

“Afghanistan is a very strong team. They probably should have won against us in the last World Cup too,” Khawaja said during a chat with Amazon Prime in Melbourne.

Afghanistan had come close to stunning Australia in the ODI World Cup in Mumbai last year when they had the Aussies seven down for 91 in a 293-run chase. However, a miraculous comeback led by Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten double hundred had pulled Australia from the verge of defeat to the title in November 2023.

On Sunday at the Arnos Vale Stadium, Afghanistan posted a challenging 149-run target following which they restricted Australia to record a 21-run win. The win levelled the sides on points in Group 1 behind leaders India. Australia will now need to beat India on Monday to secure their spot in the semifinals, failing which Rashid Khan’s side can sneak through with a win over Bangladesh on Tuesday.

Well done Brother. Better team on the day. You boys are an inspiration for so many back home and abroad. So sad we can't see you all play in Australia. https://t.co/d7PMfxTcgN

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) June 23, 2024

Khawaja defies CA stance in congatulatory post

Khawaja had also taken to X and retweeted Afghanistan skipper Rashid’s post and said: “Well done Brother. The better team on the day. You boys are an inspiration for so many back home and abroad. So sad we can’t see you all play in Australia.”

Khawaja’s tweet did not align with Cricket Australia’s stance of not engaging in bilateral series with Afghanistan after the Taliban regime barred women’s participation in sports in the country. The Afghan women’s cricket team was disbanded in 2021 with several members fleeing the country. Australia have since cancelled three series across formats against Afghanistan.

Australia cancelled a one-off Test in Hobart in 2021, following which they withdrew from a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in the UAE in 2023. Earlier this year, the CA also indefinitely postoned a three-match T20 series against Afghanistan that was due to be played in August.

‘Still in with a chance’

Khawaja also insisted that Australia will need to leave behind the baggage of defeat quickly to mark a turnaround. “It’s very human to be nervous and a little more anxious, but Australia has played very good T20 cricket up until Afghanistan. That’s the beauty of T20 cricket; it just needs one moment to change the whole scenario. 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,” Khawaja remarked.

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