Highlights of today's T20 World Cup 2024 match between Afghanistan and Uganda: At the T20 World Cup on Tuesday at Providence Stadium in Guyana, Afghanistan defeated Uganada by 125 runs behind the bowling of Fazalhaq Farooqi, who led the attack and claimed five wickets. Earlier, Afghanistan defeats Uganda 183/5 in the first innings thanks to the efforts of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran.
Uganda beat out teams like Zimbabwe and Namibia to secure a spot in the tournament as the second team to advance from the ICC T20 World Cup Africa qualifiers. Frank Nsubuga, who will be among the oldest players to compete at the age of 43, is a member of the team led by Brian Masaba.
On the other hand, Afghanistan enters the competition as a dark horse, having won the ODI World Cup in India last year, where they overcame teams like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England. The team's previous ICC tournament captain, Ibrahim Zadran, will be replaced by T20 spin star Rashid Khan, who is now touring the world.
Gurbaz's 76 from 45 balls, which featured four fours and four sixes, had Afghanistan looking set for a huge total.
Zadran was hitting 70 off 46 deliveries, including nine fours and a six, in similarly daring fashion.
The first partnership between Gurbaz and Zadran was the second-highest in the history of the men's T20 World Cup, only surpassed in 2022 by Jos Buttler and Alex Hales of England with 170.
But Uganda was able to retake Afghanistan when Gurbaz and Zadran collapsed in the space of four balls.
After bowling Zadran in the 15th over to leave the score at 154-1, Masaba made cricket history for the East African nation by getting his country's first-ever World Cup wicket.
After that, Alpesh Ramjani took out Gurbaz, who Riazat Ali Shah caught at deep square leg for 76.
Masaba took his second wicket, dismissing Najibullah Zadran after Dinesh Nakrani caught him at deep square leg.
Two more wickets were taken by Cosmas Kyewuta.
Fazalhaq destroyed any chances that Uganda's bowling comeback would continue into their innings in the opening over.
Following a four-ball boundary from Ugandan opener Ronak Patel off the first ball of Fazalhaq's over, the Afghan bowler responded by taking two wickets in his next two deliveries, including Patel and Roger Mukasa, leaving the Africans reeling at 4-2.
Uganda fell at 8-3 when Mujeeb Ur Rahman had Simon Ssesazi caught by Fazalhaq off a top edge for four.
With the wickets falling steadily, Uganda was soon 18-5 in the fifth over.
After taking five wickets, Fazalhaq removed Masaba and Robinson Obuya, both of whom were caught behind. Then, captain Khan cleaned up the tail end by removing Hendry Ssenyondo and dismissing Bilal Hassan leg before wicket.
Despite the crushing loss, Uganda's captain Masaba saw some bright spots from his team's T20 World Cup debut.
"Pretty special moment for us, hearing our national anthem and seeing our flag at the World Cup," Masaba stated.
I have something that I will always treasure.
"A lot of nerves during the World Cup opening game. It's good to get that resolved. The following game, we'll try to do better."
