Afghanistan 183 for 5 (Gurbaz 76, Ibrahim 70, Masaba 2-21, Kyewuta 2-25) beat Uganda 58 (Farooqi 5-9) by 125 runs
Afghanistan crushed debutants Uganda by a massive 125 runs in their T20 World Cup Group C match in Guyana. The victory was built on a brilliant opening partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who smashed 183 runs for the first wicket before Afghanistan’s batting faltered slightly. Uganda, despite a spirited bowling comeback towards the end of the Afghan innings, were bundled out for a mere 58 runs.
Gurbaz and Ibrahim were unstoppable at the start, blasting 18 boundaries in the powerplay and reaching their respective fifties within the first 10 overs. Gurbaz struck a quickfire 76 with four sixes and four fours, while Ibrahim contributed a well-made 70 with nine fours and a six. Their dominance helped Afghanistan reach a strong position at 154-0 before a mini-collapse saw them lose five wickets for 31 runs in the final overs. Uganda’s captain Brian Masaba and fast bowler Cosmas Kyewuta picked up two wickets each to restrict the total.
Uganda’s batting reply was a nightmare. Fazalhaq Farooqi ripped through their top order with a fiery opening spell, taking two wickets in his first over and finishing with a career-best five-wicket haul for just nine runs. Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan chipped in with two wickets each as Uganda were dismissed for their lowest ever T20 International total in just 16 overs. Riazat Ali Shah and Robinson Obuya offered some resistance with a 29-run stand for the sixth wicket, but Farooqi returned to clean up the tail and secure a dominant victory for Afghanistan.
This match highlighted the gulf in experience between the two sides. While Afghanistan showcased their batting prowess at the top and clinical bowling attack, Uganda, despite a spirited fightback with the ball and a brief partnership with the bat, were outplayed in all departments.
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