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Australia have somehow kept themselves alive in the semi-final race at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 after managing to beat Afghanistan in a thriller at Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Chasing the massive target of 169, Afghanistan were in the game when Gulbadin Naib and Ibrahim Zadran were in the middle. The duo formed a vital stand of 59 runs for the third wicket and were looking solid to cruise through. But a direct hit from deep mid-wicket by Glenn Maxwell and then some ordinary batting saw the Afghans lo💖se the momentum completely.
However, another twist came when senior player Rashid Khan took charge and kept the fight alive with his dead-eye tonking. But he had too much to do🐷 in the end and couldn’t take the team home as Afghanistan fell four runs short. Rashid entertained one and all with an unbeaten 23-ball 48, including three fours and 4 sixes.
Earlier, Glenn Maxwell smacked an undefeated 54 from 32 deliveries to power Australia to 📖168/8 in 20 overs. Maxi hit six fours and a couple of maximums during his game-changing knock. Apart from the Victorian, Mitchell Marsh also shined with the bat, scoring 45 off 30 balls, including three fours and two sixes.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
A brilliant fight from Afg✱hanistan, but Australia come out on top💖 in Adelaide 💪 | | 📝:
— ICC (@ICC)
Australiaౠ hold on to claim victory! What a display from Rashid Khan thouꦛgh. Wow.
The defending champs now need Sri Lanka to beat Englandಞ tomorrow
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
Love Rashid Khan .. Incredible cricketer ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
Australia wins the match but Rashid Khan wꦕins the day 🔥 what a brilliant display.
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
Few better entertainers in our game than .
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
✤Rashid Khan has in⛄credible wrists, not just as a wrist spinner but as a batter too!
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny)
What a wonderful game. Afghanistan lost but the talk was all about them. Lo♏ved how the narrative changed from how well Australia could win to whether they could actually win.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
The only way Australia can qualify now is if Sri Lanka beat England tomorrow or if Eng vs SL is washed out.♐
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad)
Ho🌊ld your head high, Rashid Khan. That✨ was a stupendous innings.
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell)
Rashid Khan almost took Afghanistan home.
Scorecard:— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Scenes tomorrow 😅
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
Rashid Khan at in T20 matches
Takes a wicket every 15.7 balls bowled
Hits a six every 7.9 balls faced
— Swamp (@sirswampthing)
Rashid Khan with ball, with bat, in field – What a freak in T20 format.
A genius, Rashid Khan.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Well that was so much fun.
You're a legend
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell)
3 for 25 off the last four overs with two bowlers used, exceptional stuff. Not to often you keep Maxwell and Wade quietꦡ in these moments. Naveen and Farooqi well bowled.
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg)
Not quite enough to get over the line…but what a stunning knock from Rashid Khan. 48* off 23. Australia win…but only just. What a game!
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz)
Rashid Khan played a fantastic knock of 48* (23) – his highest score in T20Is but Australia just inch home by 4 runs!
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA)