NEW DELHI: Australian Test opener
Usman Khawaja
extended his congratulations to Afghanistan for their sensational 21-run victory over Australia in the Super 8 clash of the
T20 World Cup
on Sunday.
Khawaja admitted that a better team emerged victorious and didn't hesitate from conveying his disappointment regarding Cricket Australia's decision to call off international fixtures with Afghanistan in the past.
"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," Khawaja posted on X.
The CA has refused to engage in matches with Afghanistan on three separate occasions following the Taliban's takeover of the country in September 2021. The Australian cricket governing body strongly criticized the Taliban's decision to impose limitations on women's involvement in sports.
In addition to cancelling a one-off Test match against Afghanistan, Australia also pulled out of a three-match ODI series that was set to take place in the UAE in 2023. Most recently, CA declined to play against Afghanistan for the third time this year, indefinitely postponing a three-match T20 series that was originally scheduled for August.
Afghanistan stay alive in T20 World Cup
Afghanistan kept their T20 World Cup semifinal hopes alive by stunning previously unbeaten Australia by 21 runs in a thrilling encounter.
Despite a second successive hat-trick by Australian bowler
Pat Cummins
, Afghanistan posted 148-6 after being asked to bat first on a tricky pitch at the Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent.
Afghanistan pair
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
and Ibrahim Zadran put on 118 for the highest opening partnership against Australia in a T20 match before Australia's bowlers rallied late, including Cummins' second career hat-trick - just two days after his first.
Australia then stumbled with the bat and were all out for 127, with only
Glenn Maxwell
(59 off 41 balls) coming to grips with the superb Afghanistan bowling attack and the turning wicket.
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