Cricket

Afghanistan's remarkable journey in the T20 World Cup has been a testament to their growing prowess in the shortest format of the game. After a stunning victory over New Zealand, the Afghans find themselves atop both the leading run-scorers' and wicket-takers' charts, a testament to their all-round strength.Fazalhaq Farooqi, a 23-year-old left-arm quick, has emerged as a key figure for Afghanistan. With 12 wickets in four matches, he has been the tournament's most prolific wicket-taker, showcasing his ability to swing the ball and generate pace. His performance against New Zealand, where he claimed three early wickets, was instrumental in Afghanistan's 84-run victory.Afghanistan's batting has also been impressive, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz leading the way. The fearless opener has amassed 167 runs, including a blistering 80 against New Zealand. His aggressive approach and ability to clear the boundary with ease have made him a dangerous force at the top of the order.The emergence of Gurbaz and Farooqi has complemented Afghanistan's traditional strength in spin bowling. Rashid Khan, the talismanic captain, and Mohammad Nabi have been their usual reliable selves, while Noor Ahmed has shown promise as a rising star.Afghanistan's success is not merely a matter of individual brilliance. Under the guidance of former England batter Jonathan Trott, the team has developed a collective mindset and a belief in their own abilities. They have shed their underdog status and are now seen as a genuine threat to the established cricketing nations.The Afghans' performance in the Super Eight stage will be a true test of their mettle. They face formidable opponents in India, Australia, and Bangladesh, but they will be confident of making a strong push for a semifinal berth.

Fazalhaq Farooqi, Afghanistan's bowling sensation, has emerged as a force to be reckoned with at the T20 World Cup 2024. Despite not playing a single match for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, Farooqi has made a remarkable impact, leading the bowling charts with 12 wickets in just 11.2 overs.Farooqi's left-arm angle and ability to swing the ball both ways have proved lethal, particularly in the powerplay. Seven of his wickets have come in the first six overs, the most by any bowler in the tournament. His skill was evident in his two-wicket burst against PNG, where he dismissed both Lega Siaka and Sese Bau with deliveries that moved away and into the batsmen respectively.Farooqi credits his success to his relentless pursuit of skill development. "I'm not someone big and tall and bowling very fast," he said. "I was going to learn to bowl swing and that now for me is simple."Despite not playing in the IPL, Farooqi remained focused on improving his skills. He worked closely with Afghanistan's bowling coach, Hamid Hassan, and also sought guidance from Dwayne Bravo, who is serving as a bowling consultant for the team.Farooqi's relationship with Bravo has been particularly influential. "DJ Bravo, I am with him from last four years," he said. "He just wants to give to us some tips for how we bowl in the death, how we bowl in the crucial situations. He is everyone's mentor."Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan praised Farooqi's impact, comparing him to the team's batting star, Rahmanullah Gurbaz. "Someone like Fazal, who is coming in and attacking each and every ball, that allows us to have a strong base as a bowling unit," Rashid said.Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan's head coach, believes Farooqi has even more potential. "I still think with the amount of talent, I still think he can even bowl better," Trott said.As Afghanistan prepares to face West Indies and enter the Super Eight, Farooqi is confident in his team's ability. "We now have found some confidence," he said. "Now everyone has belief in our skills… This is the first time we just qualify for the Super Eight and we are so happy."

Afghanistan's stunning 84-run victory over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup Group C clash in Guyana marked a historic moment for the Afghan team, as it was their first-ever win against the Kiwis in T20 internationals.Skipper Rashid Khan and left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi played pivotal roles in Afghanistan's triumph, each claiming four wickets. Farooqi's impressive spell of 4 for 17 included the crucial wickets of New Zealand's top-order batters, while Khan's 4 for 17 further dismantled the Kiwi batting lineup.Chasing a target of 160, New Zealand's batting faltered, with only Glen Phillips (18) and Matt Henry (12) managing to reach double figures. The entire team was bowled out for a mere 75 runs in just 15.2 overs, a testament to the dominance of Afghanistan's bowling attack.Earlier, Afghanistan's innings was anchored by wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who played a blistering knock of 80 runs off 56 balls. Gurbaz's innings, which included five sixes and as many fours, laid the foundation for Afghanistan's competitive total of 159 for 6. He shared a crucial 103-run partnership with Ibrahim Zadran (44 off 41 balls) for the first wicket.Despite Gurbaz's heroics, Afghanistan's innings lost momentum towards the end, with Trent Boult (2/22) and Matt Henry (2/37) restricting their scoring. However, the Afghan bowlers' exceptional performance ultimately sealed the victory.