World Cup 2019 | ‘They’ve shown more grit, purpose than Pak, Lanka’: Twitterati shower praises on Afghanistan for their batting performance against Australia

Afghanistan showed a lot of character against reigning World Champions Australia in their ICC Cricket World Cup match at Bristol on Saturday. Playing in their second World Cup, the Afghans are underdogs as well as the dark horses who will be looking to make a massive impact in the showpiece event. 

Afghan skipper Gulbadin Naib won the toss and elected to bat first. Afghanistan were on the backfoot right in the very first over when they lost their explosive opening batsman Mohammad Shahzad, castled by a beautiful inswinger from Mitchell Starc without troubling the scorers. They suffered another setback shortly after, when Hazratullah Zazai also departed without scoring as the Afghans were reduced to 5/2 in the second over itself.

Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah then added a 51-run stand for the third wicket before the Aussie bowlers struck back with three quick wickets as Afghanistan reeled at 77/5. Skipper Gulbadin Naib and Najibullah Zadran then carried out the rescue act by adding a valuable 83 runs for the sixth wicket. Tail-enders Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman then added a 39-run stand in the end. 

READ: World Cup 2019 | WATCH: Here's how 2015 WC's 'Player of the Tournament' Mitchell Starc set up Mohammad Shahzad's dismissal

Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa were at the receiving end of the Afghanistan onslaught as the duo was hit for 21 and 22 runs respectively. Stoinis faced the heat from Rashid as he was taken to the cleaners by Rashid.

Rashid Khan played a blistering knock of an 11-ball 27 at a strike rate of 245.45 which included two boundaries and three maximums. He was trapped in front of the wicket by Adam Zampa and was dismissed just at the wrong time when Afghanistan needed to accelerate. Post his dismissal, the Afghans were bowled out for 207 with more than 11 overs to spare.

Nonetheless, Afghanistan were praised for their gritty batting on social media. Here are a few reactions.

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