Afghanistan stun Australia with 21-run T20 World Cup win

Arnos Vale, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Gulbadin Naib wasAfghanistan s man with the golden arm, bowling his team to a surprise 21 run victory ov...

Arnos Vale, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Gulbadin Naib was Afghanistan's man with the golden arm, bowling his team to a surprise 21-run victory over previously unbeaten Australia in their Group One Super Eight encounter in the T20 World Cup at the Arnos Vale Stadium on Saturday.

Set a target of 149, Glenn Maxwell (59 off 41 balls, six fours, three sixes) had the Test and One-Day champions on course until he became Gulbadin's third wicket in the 15th over, opening the door to a result which keeps the duel for semi-final spots alive going into the final two fixtures in the group on Monday.

Gulbadin finished with four for 20 from his four overs of medium pace to turn the match as Australia suffered their first-ever defeat to the Afghans in a senior international encounter, being dismissed for 127 with four balls left in the match.

"It is a great moment for me, my nation, my people," said an exultant Gulbadin on receiving the Man of the Match award. "I learned a lot about the pitch from when we batted and I am glad that (captain) Rashid (Khan) had faith in me."

Earlier, Pat Cummins claimed his second hat-trick in as many matches as Afghanistan lost momentum after another century opening stand from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, settling for a total of 148 for six having been put in.