Usman Khawaja praises Afghanistan but regrets ‘can’t see’ them play in Australia

Cricketer Usman Khawaja has praised Afghanistan after their monumental win against Australia and regretted not being able to see the “inspiring” team play in his country as Cricket Australia does not allow a bilateral series between the two sides.

The Afghans registered a historic 22-run win against the Kangaroos in a major upset in the T20 World Cup 2024 in Saturday’s Super 8 match at Kingstown.

Khawaja, who is playing as an opener for Australia in Tests, congratulated Afghanistan while calling them the best team on the day and also expressed his displeasure with Cricket Australia’s stance on playing a bilateral series with the Afghans.

“Well done bro. Best team on the day. You guys are an inspiration to so many at home and abroad. So sad we can’t see you all play in Australia,” Khawaja wrote on X, formerly Twitter, while reposting the Afghan governor Rashid Khan’s victory post.

Since 2021, CA has refused to play Afghanistan three times citing limited education and employment opportunities for women in the war-torn country as reasons for not playing.

In 2021, the Afghanistan women’s team disbanded and some members also fled the capital Kabul after the Taliban government took control of the city following the US withdrawal.

In response, Australia withdrew from a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Hobart.

Later in 2023, ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Australians decided not to play a three-T20I series against the Afghans in the UAE. Most recently, they refused to play a T20I series that was scheduled for August.

In the World Cup Super 8 match, Australia opted to bowl first and restricted Afghanistan to 148 runs for the loss of six wickets. Marsh’s men then failed to chase down the target of 149 and fell by 22 runs.

Their highest scorer in the game was Glenn Maxwell who scored 59 off 41 balls. Gulbadin Naib proved to be the star man for Afghanistan as he dismissed four of Australia’s batsmen – Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins and Tim David.

Naveen ul Haq took three wickets in his spell in four overs and gave away 20 runs. but star of the show was Gulbadin Naib who took 4-20 and was named man of the match.

“Thank you Dear Allah. We have been waiting for a long time. A great moment for our nation and our people. I have no words to say but thank you to the fans who have supported us in our career and journey in cricket,” Naib said after the match.

“I learned from the batting innings about how to bowl. Thanks to Rashid for trusting me. It’s a whole team effort, Rahmanullah, Zadran and also Naveen for the momentum. It’s a big achievement for Afghanistan, we have achieved many things in the last ten years, but this is a great achievement.

“In the last World Cup we played well and in this World Cup we also beat New Zealand. Australia is a champion team so for us it’s a big tournament. Fortunately we have this kind of team and management.”

Naib became the first man in World Cup history (ODI and T20 combined) to take four wickets as an 8th bowler. Afghanistan used eight bowlers tonight, Naib was the last.