T20 World Cup 2024: 'Do Not Respect Them By Calling This An Upset' - Cricket World Reacts After Afghanistan Beat Australia

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Cricket world reacted after Afghanistan defeated Australia by 21 runs in the Super Eights Group 1 match in Kingstown, St Vincent, to stay alive in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final race.

A win for Australia would have sealed the two semi-final spots from Group 1, but Afghanistan had other plans as they pulled off a stunning win, defending 148 on a challenging surface at the Arnos Vale Ground.

Chasing 149, Glenn Maxwell (59 off 41 balls), who had broken Afghan hearts in last year's ODI World Cup, was the lone contributor for Australia with the bat as Gulbadin Naib (4 for 20) and Naveen-ul-Haq (3 for 20) struck at regular intervals to bundle out the 2021 champions for 127.

Now, Australia will have all to play for in their final Super 8 game against India as their Net Run Rate (NRR) also took a big hit following the loss to Afghanistan, who can book a semifinal spot with a win over Bangladesh.

Following the match, many termed the result as an upset but several former cricketers, including Wasim Jaffer said it would be disrespectful to Afghanistan if one calls this as an upset.

"Do not disrespect Afghanistan by calling this an upset. Afg are good enough to beat any team on their day. They played to their potential today and defeated a very good Aus team. A fact that should be celebrated. Congratulations and well played @ACBofficials," Jaffer posted on X.

Meanwhile former England captain Michael Vaughan said Rashid Khan's side will fancy beating any team now, while former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar termed the win as a great one for Afghanistan and stressed on the importance of batters being able to bowl.

"Great win for Afghanistan .. they have a genuine chance now of reaching the final .. They will fancy beating any of the teams in the other group in Trinidad with their bowling attack," Vaughan posted on X.

"Great win for Afghanistan! Used 8 bowlers to defend 148. Shows the benefits of having batters who can roll their arm over," Manjrekar shared on X.

"This is another historic victory for the Afghanistan side. They have read the conditions better, but more importantly executed well!! Australia's fielding again has been questionable, 6 opportunities missed whereas on the flip side, AFG have taken some rippers!!!" former Australian women's cricketer Lisa Sthalekar posted on X.