Afghanistan vs Uganda, T20 World Cup 2024, Match 5 - Full Squad

We are back for the run chase! The umpires are back out in the middle and Rashid Khan can be seen leading the Afghanistan players in a huddle before they take their places on the field. It will be the duo of Ronak Patel and Simon Ssesazi to open the innings for Uganda. Fazalhaq Farooqi will begin proceedings with the ball for Afghanistan. Let's go...

... The Run Chase ...

Right 184 needed for Uganda to win their first ever World Cup match at the senior level but it won't be one bit easy. Afghanistan have quality spinners in their ranks and given how the last 5-6 overs of the first innings panned out, Uganda will need to go ballistic in the Powerplay. Join us in a bit for the exciting run chase.

Ibrahim Zadran, one of the stars of Afghanistan's innings is up for a chat. He says that he tries to keep it very simple. Adds that he is working hard on his skills and wants to enjoy his cricket. Mentions that him and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have been playing for a long time and have good communication. Shares that they haven’t faced the Uganda bowlers in the past but they discussed on checking out the bowlers before taking them on.

Uganda will now feel if they had bowled better lines and lengths early on, they could have easily restricted Afghanistan to about 160 odd runs but they will still take 183 given 210 seemed almost a guarantee at one point and they will have momentum heading into the interval as well. They were second best for about 14 or so overs but once skipper Brian Masaba got that elusive first wicket, they were able to latch onto the opportunity and picked up wickets in a heap. Masaba was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets to his name for just 21 runs in his 4 overs and Cosmas Kyewuta also closed out the innings pretty well. They do have a big job to do with the bat but will certainly believe that they can do some damage.

What a fine comeback from Uganda in the final five or so overs but it was all about the Afghanistan openers as they put on a fine show and have helped their side to put on a pretty substantial total here. Afghanistan began their innings on a positive note and got away a flurry of boundaries in the Powerplay, racking in 66 runs as well. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looked at his hard-hitting best and Ibrahim Zadran also looked classy at the other end. The duo put on 154 runs for the first wicket before both of them fell in the space of two runs. Gurbaz made 76 and Zadran made 70 but once they got out, the innings simply crumbled and we could see that it wasn't easy to get going right away on this track. Mohammad Nabi was the only batter who managed to get into double figures beside the openers as Afghanistan stumbled their way to 183 for 5 in their 20 overs.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Rashid Khan, On a length, outside off. Rashid Khan reaches for it and slaps it toward deep extra cover for a couple. Afghanistan finish on 183 for 5. They will be disappointed as they were well on course to get above 220. Excellent fight back from Uganda.

Skipper, Rashid Khan comes in to face the final delivery.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Azmatullah Omarzai, OUT! CAUGHT! Cosmas Kyewuta gets his second of the night! Pace-off, on a length, around off. Azmatullah Omarzai swings across the line and gets an outside edge that flies toward the cover point region. Alpesh Ramjani comes under it and takes a dolly.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Mohammad Nabi, Pitched full, outside off. Nabi drills it to extra cover for just a single.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Mohammad Nabi, Full-length delivery, outside off. Mohammad Nabi plays and misses. A half an appeal from the bowler, Cosmas Kyewuta and he convinces his skipper to take the review for caught behind. The UltraEdge shows a flat line and Nabi survives.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Mohammad Nabi, Slower length ball, outside off. Nabi swings hard and gets an insidge edge that rolls toward backward square leg for a couple.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Azmatullah Omarzai, Pace-off, on a fullis length, around off. Azmatullah Omarzai heaves it off the cue end, toward deep square leg for one.

Brian Masaba to Azmatullah Omarzai, Tossed up on the middle and leg. Drilled to long-on for just a single. End of a fantastic spell from Brian Masaba.

Brian Masaba to Mohammad Nabi, Full and quick at the stumps. Mohammad Nabi heaves it toward deep mid-wicket for one.

Brian Masaba to Azmatullah Omarzai, Pitched full, around off. Azmatullah Omarzai advances and pushes it to the right of the bowler. Masaba runs around and has a shy at the stumps. He misses and allows the batter to take a run.

Brian Masaba to Mohammad Nabi, Tosses it full, outside off. Nabi drives it to long-off for one.

Brian Masaba to Mohammad Nabi, Full, outside leg. Nabi gets low and has a wild slog but fails to connect.

Brian Masaba to Mohammad Nabi, Low full toss on the leg peg. Nabi works it through square leg for a couple.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Azmatullah Omarzai, Pitched full, outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai reaches for it and drives it toward sweeper cover for a couple.

Azmatullah Omarzai is the new man in.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Gulbadin Naib, OUT! In the air and taken! This has been an excellent over from Cosmas Kyewuta and he has been rightly rewarded with a wicket. This was full and at the stumps. Naib stays deep in the crease and lofts it off the toe end toward the long-on region. Skipper Brian Masaba settles under it and takes it nealtly. Uganda are coming back strongly in the game. Afghanistan are four down!

Cosmas Kyewuta to Mohammad Nabi, BYE! Excellent yorker, just outside off. Nabi fails to jam it out as the ball goes toward the keeper. A bit of fumble and the batters cross for a bye.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Gulbadin Naib, High full toss, angling in. Naib pulls it toward deep mid-wicket for one.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Gulbadin Naib, Full and quick outside off. Naib swings across the line and misses.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Mohammad Nabi, Pitched full, at the stumps. Nabi clears the front leg and drills this to long-off for one.

Brian Masaba to Gulbadin Naib, Flighted on the middle and leg. Naib nudges it toward mid-wicket region and gets back for the second.

Brian Masaba to Mohammad Nabi, Quicker and fuller at the stumps. Nabi whips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Brian Masaba to Mohammad Nabi, Full on off. Nabi pushes it toward extra cover.

Brian Masaba to Gulbadin Naib, Flatter leg break, on off. Punched to long-off for one.

Gulbadin Naib walks out to bat now.

Brian Masaba to Najibullah Zadran, OUT! CAUGHT! Brian Masaba gets his second wicket! Flatter and quicker on off. Najibullah Zadran goes back and pulls it straight to Dinesh Nakrani at the deep square leg boundary. The fielder does not move an inch and pouches a simple catch. Uganda are fighting back. They have picked three wickets in quick time. Najibullah Zadran holes out in the deep and departs early.

Brian Masaba to Mohammad Nabi, Fuller leg break, around off. Driven to long-off for one.

Alpesh Ramjani to Mohammad Nabi, Pushed through on off. Nabi drops it toward short cover and takes a quick run.

Alpesh Ramjani to Mohammad Nabi, Tossed up on off. Nabi backs away and lifts it toward wide long-off for a brace.

Alpesh Ramjani to Najibullah Zadran, Floated, around off. Najibullah Zadran makes room and drills it to wide of long-off for one.

Alpesh Ramjani to Mohammad Nabi, Full on the middle and leg. Nabi eases it to long-on for one.

Alpesh Ramjani to Mohammad Nabi, Flat, around off. Nabi comes forward and dabs it to exta cover.

Mohammad Nabi is the new man in.

Alpesh Ramjani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, OUT! CAUGHT! One wicket brings another and both the openers are back in the hut now. Ramjani tosses it full, outside off. Gurbaz gets across and slog-sweeps it aerially but straight to the throat of Riazat Ali Shah at the deep backward square leg boundary. He makes no mistake and both the set batters are dismissed in the space of few balls.

Brian Masaba to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Leg bye! Another wrong'un that is bowled flat and into the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays all over it and the ball rolls off the pads on the off side. They get a leg bye.

Brian Masaba to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Half an appeal for LBW but missing leg stump! Flatter one on middle and darting back in sharply off the deck, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to flick but misses and wears it on the pads.

Brian Masaba to Najibullah Zadran, Flighted delivery around off, turns out to be a full toss, Najibullah Zadran just drives it down to long off and gets off the mark with a single.

Najibullah Zadran is in at 3.

Brian Masaba to Ibrahim Zadran, OUT! TIMBER! UGANDA HAVE THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP WICKET! And it is their skipper, Brian Masaba who has done the job here. This is bowled quite flat and drifted into the leg stump, Ibrahim Zadran comes down the pitch but is well beaten in the flight as he looks to flick it away and plays all around the ball. The ball sneaks under the bat and goes on to crash into the leg stump and finally, this wondeful opening stand has been broken. Zadran departs after a stellar knock.

Brian Masaba to Ibrahim Zadran, Floats it up a bit on a nagging length and follows the batter down leg, Ibrahim Zadran fails to pull it away.

Brian Masaba to Ibrahim Zadran, Flatter one on a length and around off and middle, Ibrahim Zadran stays back and punches iot firmly towards deep cover for a couple of runs. Good fielding in the deep to save the boundary.

Bilal Hassan to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! 25 off the over and the 150 is already up Afghanistan. Banged in short biut angling down leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz whips it off his hips and gets it well over backward square leg for yet another boundary.

Bilal Hassan to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ouch, that must have stung a lot! Pitched up full around off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz smahses it right back and the ball hits the bowler on the right shoulder on the followthrough and goes to the leg side. The batters get two runs and Bilal Hassan just shrugs it off.

Bilal Hassan to Ibrahim Zadran, Full and around off stump, Ibrahim Zadran shuffles across the off stump looking for the scoop but miscues it towards short fine leg for a single.

Bilal Hassan to Ibrahim Zadran, SIX! Smashed away brilliantly by Ibrahim Zadran and 18 off the over with three balls remaining. Slower one, on a good length and angling at the stumps. This one sits up nicely and Zadran just whacks it across the line and thumps it well over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Bilal Hassan to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hard length around off and banged into the deck a bit, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is late on the pull and mistimes it down to long on for a single.

Bilal Hassan to Ibrahim Zadran, That is spot on! Bilal Hassan nails the wide yorker and Ibrahim Zadran can only dig it out past point for a single.

Bilal Hassan to Ibrahim Zadran, No ball and Four! That was a fine effort on the fence from Cosmas Kyewuta but it wouldn't have mattered as Bilal Hassan has overstepped and it will be a Free Hit for Afghanistan. Bowled on a good length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran just stays put and lofts it wide of long off where Cosmos runs across and catches the ball but falls over the ropes and flicks the ball in which then rolls back onto the ropes. 10 already off the over without a single legal ball so far!

Bilal Hassan to Ibrahim Zadran, FIVE WIDES! Oh, that is a wild delivery from Bilal Hassan and that is the last thing Uganda needed at the moment. Full and quick, looking to angle it into the pads but this is spilled well down the leg side, no chnace for the diving keeper there and the ball races away to the fine leg fence.

Alpesh Ramjani to Ibrahim Zadran, Another call for two but won't get it this time. On a dragged length and angled at the pads, Ibrahim Zadran backs away and nudges it in front of mid-wicket for one.

Alpesh Ramjani to Ibrahim Zadran, The call is for two and they will get it with ease. Bowled quite full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran backs away and drives it well wide of long off for a couple of runs more.

Alpesh Ramjani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hit hard and just past the bowler! Tossed up on the stumps, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away and flat-bats it a bit uppishly to the right of the bowler who sticks out a right hand but the ball goes past him and down to long on. Just the single then.

Alpesh Ramjani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, In the air but will fall safely and a misfield allows the batters to come back for two. Nicely flighted delivery outside off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to go over covers but miscues it a lot squarer and pover the infield for a couple of runs.

Alpesh Ramjani to Ibrahim Zadran, Nice and full at the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran pats it away on the up to cover for an easy single.

Alpesh Ramjani to Ibrahim Zadran, Fired in full and angled into leg stump, Ibrahim Zadran stays leg side of the ball and manages to keep it out.

Brian Masaba to Ibrahim Zadran, Floated up full and outside off, stroked away through the point region for a single.

Brian Masaba to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Bowled short and into the pitch around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz jams the ball down through mid on and picks up a single.

Brian Masaba to Ibrahim Zadran, A fine effort in the deep to save one run but that brings up the FIFTY for Ibrahim Zadran and this has been a classy knock so far. Fractionally short and outside off, cut away hard and behind point for three runs.

Brian Masaba to Ibrahim Zadran, Floats it up a bit, around off and turning away, Ibrahim Zadran drives it on the bounce towards covers.

Brian Masaba to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, A bit quicker and fuller on the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drives it away down to wide long on and rotates the strike.

Brian Masaba to Ibrahim Zadran, Starts off with a bit of a drag-down but gets away with it. Bowled short and on leg stump, staying low, Ibrahim Zadran pulls it to deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Riazat Ali Shah to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, This is fine placement and brilliant running from the Afghan batters. On a good length at the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz just nudges it away with soft hands into the gap at square leg and races back for the second run.

Riazat Ali Shah to Ibrahim Zadran, Keeps bowling it full and gets it around the off stump, Ibrahim Zadran backs away and squeezes it through covers for one.

Riazat Ali Shah to Ibrahim Zadran, Two more! Full and straight at the stumps, right in the blockhole, this is jammed out through mid on by Ibrahim Zadran for a brace.

Riazat Ali Shah to Ibrahim Zadran, A bit risky, but excellent running in the end. This is bowled full and angled into the legs, Ibrahim Zadran clips it away through square leg and the call is for two right away. Bilal Hassan runs around to his left and fires in a throw at the batter's end where the keeper whips off the bails but the replays show that Zadran was well in.

Riazat Ali Shah to Ibrahim Zadran, Much better! Hits the deck hard and bowls it around the top of off stump, Ibrahim Zadran stands tall and hits it straight to covers.

Riazat Ali Shah to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Riazat Ali Shah is welcomed into the attack with a boundary. Poor start from Shah as he strays onto the pads, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it away over short fine leg and the ball races away to the fence.

Drinks break! Time for a breather and well, Uganda certainly need it. This has been some batting from the Afghan openers and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in particular has been outstanding. Uganda didn't do justice with the new ball and are now playing the chasing game. With all 10 wickets intact, Afghanistan will be eyeing at least 200 which on this pitch is a score well above par. Can Uganda turn things around in the second half of the first innings? Let's find out.

Dinesh Nakrani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Back of a length, angling into the batter. Gurbaz waits and tucks it toward the vacant mid-wicket region for a couple.

Dinesh Nakrani to Ibrahim Zadran, Full outside off. Driven out to deep cover point for another single. Brings up the 100-run partnership.

Dinesh Nakrani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Slower length ball, outisde off. Gurbaz cuts it to extra cover for one.

Dinesh Nakrani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Length ball, angling in. Gurbaz bunts it down to long-on for a couple.

Dinesh Nakrani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! DISMISSIVE FROM GURBAZ! Low full toss, on off. Gurbaz makes room and thrashes it over the extra cover and toward wide long off region for a thumping boundary.

Dinesh Nakrani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, On a length, around off. Gurbaz advances and slaps it to deep backward point for a brace.

Henry Ssenyondo to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Quicker and flatter on off. Gurbaz punches it to long off for a run.

Henry Ssenyondo to Ibrahim Zadran, Flatter on the middle and leg. Knocked to long on for a single.

Henry Ssenyondo to Ibrahim Zadran, Quicker length ball, at the stumps. Zadran makes room and gets an inside edge onto the pad.

Henry Ssenyondo to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FIFTY FOR GURBAZ! Tad short on the middle and leg. Gurbaz works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Henry Ssenyondo to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Much fuller and a hint of spin, around off. Gurbaz looks to drive but gets beaten on the outside edge. The keeper takes off the bails in a flash and appeals for Stumping. The on-field umpire goes upstairs. The replays show that the foot is grounded. NOT OUT is the call on big screen.

Henry Ssenyondo to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, WIDE! Flatter, outside the tramline. Gurbaz lets it go. Wide signaled.

Henry Ssenyondo to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, SIX! BOOM! Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes big and long! Tosses it full at the stumps. Gurbaz clears the front leg and hammers it back over the bowler and down the ground for a gigantic six.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Pace-off, on a fullish length, around off. Gurbaz prods and drives off the inner half toward long-on for one. A tidy over from Cosmas Kyewuta.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Too full, outside off. Gurbaz shuffles across. Swings hard but fails to connect.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Ibrahim Zadran, Full-length delivery at the pad. Zadran flicks it aerially toward backward square leg for one.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Back of a length, on off. Gurbaz advances and tucks it round the corner for a single.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Pitched full, around off. Gurbaz lifts it toward wide of long-off for a couple.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Full and straight at the stumps. Gurbaz shuffles and turns it toward short mid-wicket.

Henry Ssenyondo to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tad short, outside off. Gurbaz goes back and cuts it to deep extra cover for a single.

Henry Ssenyondo to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Pitched full, on the middle and leg. Gurbaz shimmies down the pitch and hammers it over the long-on boundary for a huge 92-metre hit.

Henry Ssenyondo to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tossed up on off. Gurbaz prods and drops it toward backward point. He looks to take the single but was sent back.

Henry Ssenyondo to Ibrahim Zadran, Drifted on the leg peg. Zadran turns it toward mid-wicket for a single.

Henry Ssenyondo to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tad short, on off. Gurbaz knocks it to long-on for one.

Henry Ssenyondo to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Flatter arm ball, on the middle and leg. Gurbaz punches it back at the bowler.

Dinesh Nakrani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Full-length delivery, on the middle and leg. Gurbaz prods and eases it to long-on for a single.

Dinesh Nakrani to Ibrahim Zadran, Nakrani comes from round the wicket and bowls it back of a length, angling in. Zadran tucks it toward mid-on for one.

Dinesh Nakrani to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Zadran is in no mood to stop. Pitched full, outside off. Zadran times it through the backward point region and it races through the outfield for another boundary. The chase goes in vain.

Dinesh Nakrani to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Make that three in a row! Slower length ball, around off. Zadran waits and steers it between the short third and the backward point fielder for a hat-trick of boundaries.

Dinesh Nakrani to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR MORE! No need to run for that. Pitched full, on off. Zadran drills it through the mid-off region and it races away to the fence in flash.

Dinesh Nakrani to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Put Away! Low full toss, around off. Zadran makes room and slices it through cover-point region for a rollicking boundary. The runs are coming thick and fast now.

Alpesh Ramjani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, No run there! Fired in a bit, full and around off, hit away straight to cover. Rahmanullah Gurbaz wants the single but is rightly sent back by his partner.

Alpesh Ramjani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, SIX! Clean strike from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Flighted delivery on the off stump, Gurbaz uses his feet well to get to the pitch of the ball and then he whacks it well over long off for a maximum.

Alpesh Ramjani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Misfield! Tad short and on off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away and cuts it off the stumps to cover-point where skipper Brian Masaba is beaten by the turn and lets the ball through for a couple of runs.

Alpesh Ramjani to Ibrahim Zadran, Floated up again on the off stump, Ibrahim Zadran eases this one away through mid off and picks up a single.

Alpesh Ramjani to Ibrahim Zadran, Tossed up around off stump, played with the turn towards cover.

Alpesh Ramjani to Ibrahim Zadran, Edged but no chance for the keeper to take that one! Nicely flighted, a bit full and turning away from off stump. Ibrahim Zadran looks to cover drive but gets a thick outside edge that goes straight into the pads of the keeper and lobs away on the off side.

Bilal Hassan to Ibrahim Zadran, Pitched up quite full on middle and angling in, Ibrahim Zadran plays it on the up to the right of mid off and scampers across for the single.

Bilal Hassan to Ibrahim Zadran, On a hard length and angled into the body, Ibrahim Zadran looks to tuck it away but gets it off the leading edge back to the bowler.

Bilal Hassan to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Another one and this has been some start for Afghanistan here. Banged in a bit more short and outside off, extra pace on it as well. Ibrahim Zadran hops and slashes the ball away up and over backward point for back-to-back boundaries.

Bilal Hassan to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Hammered away! Short of a length and offering some width as well, Ibrahim Zadran takes a step to the leg side and thrashes the ball past the man at covers for a boundary.

Bilal Hassan to Ibrahim Zadran, Just back of a length and over middle stump, Ibrahim Zadran stands tall and presses back before dabbing it down towards mid-wicket.

Bilal Hassan to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Leg bye! Bilal Hassan begins from over the stumps and hits his mark right away. Good length on middle and angling back in sharply. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is quite forward and misses the flick, getting pinged on the pads. The ball rolls to the off side and they get a single.

Dinesh Nakrani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Drop and run! On a dragged length around off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz lets the ball come onto the bat and just dabs it down to short third for a run.

Dinesh Nakrani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! Up and over! Length ball around off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz skips down the track, makes a bit of room and smashes the ball through the line and gets it well over covers for a boundary.

Dinesh Nakrani to Ibrahim Zadran, In the air but wide of the man at mid off and Riazat Ali Shah does well to keep it down to a single. Slower one, pitched up around off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to hit through the line but is early in his shot and gets it wide of mid off for a single.

Dinesh Nakrani to Ibrahim Zadran, Slightly pitched up on middle, angling it across, Ibrahim Zadran stands tall and taps it away towards cover-point.

Dinesh Nakrani to Ibrahim Zadran, Good length around the top of off stump, Ibrahim Zadran punches it on the up, sweetly too but straight to covers.

Dinesh Nakrani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Begins from over the wicket and bowls it a bit full on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays on the front foot and punches it to mid off for a quick single.

Dinesh Nakrani is into the attack now.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Ibrahim Zadran, Hits the deck this time and bowls it outside off, the ball nips away a bit as well. A loose cut shot from Ibrahim Zadran but he is well beaten.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Not quite getting his length right here Cosmas Kyewuta. Another full toss on the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran takes a few steps ahead and lofts the ball over wide mid on for yet another boundary.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Ibrahim Zadran, On the fuller side and attacking the middle stump, Ibrahim Zadran plays it back with a straight bat and ends up hitting the stumps at the other end.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Excellent running once again! Length ball on off and middle, nudged down on the off side with soft hands for a run.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! Rahmanullah Gurbaz has put away the full toss with utmost ease here. Looks to go full and straight again, Gurbaz with a shimmie down the track and he just uses his wrists to flick it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.

Cosmas Kyewuta to Ibrahim Zadran, Begins with a full and straight delivery, Ibrahim Zadran manages to jam the ball down through mid on and picks up a single.

Cosmas Kyewuta to steam in from the other end.

Alpesh Ramjani to Ibrahim Zadran, The call is for two but they will only get a single. Nice and full on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran works it away down to wide long on for a single to get off the mark.

Alpesh Ramjani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Buzzers! uh, oh! Four overthrows here and Afghanistan get a total of five runs here. Flatter one on off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz just bunts it out in front of covers and sets off for the single. Cosmas Kyewuta pounces on the ball and throws it at the keeper's end but the throw is wide and it runs away to the fence.

Alpesh Ramjani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, This one is drifted into middle stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays back and blocks it off.

Alpesh Ramjani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Bowled a bit flatter and a bit quicker around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches it away towards covers.

Alpesh Ramjani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, SIX! Wow, what a classy shot to get the game underway! Flighted again and on the stumps, Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a slight shuffle to the leg side and he simply lifts it right over long off for a maximum to get going.

Alpesh Ramjani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Starts off pretty well. A bit of flight on it, bowled fuller and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays watchful and defends it to the off side.

We are done with the pre-match formalities and the teams now head out to the middle. The pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran stride out to open for Afghanistan. It will be Alpesh Ramjani to start with the ball for Uganda. Let's play...

We are just a few minutes away from the start of this game but first, the two sets of players stride out to the middle behind the match officials and lineup for their respective national anthems. We start with the anthem of Uganda followed by that of Afghanistan.

PITCH REPORT - Danny Morrison is pitchside. He starts by saying that it is very humid at 88 percent and there is a pleasant breeze as well. Adds that the smaller side is on the western end with 70 meters and the eastern side is 76 meters with straight boundary being 80 meters. Samuel Badree joins him and says it will be spin to win and Afghanistan have the best spin percentage of all full member nations whereas Uganda's spinners bowl most of their overs as well. It is the same pitch from the last game and it is fairly dry but there might be some swing early on for the pacers as well.

Rashid Khan, the captain of Afghanistan says that you need to be having the mindset of going out there and expressing yourself and let the skills decide the game and not the toss. Adds that it is great to see Uganda here at the big stage and a decade or so ago, they used to be in that place and now they just want to keep improving. Mentions that they have good spinners in the side and have had good preparations as they have been here for about two weeks now.

Brian Masaba, the skipper of Uganda says that they will Bowl first. Adds that they want to keep the opposition to a reasonable score that they can chase. Shares that playing in the World Cup is massive for them and will help to grow the game around the world. Ends by sharing that they are coming off some tough tours and are ready for the tournament.

Uganda (Playing XI) - Simon Ssesazi (WK), Roger Mukasa, Ronak Patel, Riazat Ali Shah, Dinesh Nakrani, Robinson Obuya, Alpesh Ramjani, Brian Masaba (C), Bilal Hassan, Cosmas Kyewuta, Henry Ssenyondo.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (C), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in favor of Uganda and they will BOWL first.

Uganda on the other hand are the new boys of the competition and it will be a monumental occasion for them playing at their first T20 World Cup and they will be eager and a bit nervous as well to make their mark. Uganda are a side filled with all-rounders but will need to be at their exemplary best to get a win against Afghanistan. Are we in for the first upset of the tournament? Or will the big guns brush aside the minnows? We shall find out soon. Toss and team news in a bit.

Afghanistan might just be the dark horses of the competition but are locked in a fairly difficult group and will be eyeing a positive start to get their campaign underway. The charismatic leg spinner, Rashid Khan will captain the side which is filled with T20 specialists, most of whom are coming into the World Cup having played at the cash-rich Indian T20 League. 

Hello and a warm welcome to one and all! The 2024 Men's T20 World Cup has begun with a bang and we are here at the Guyana National Stadium in Guyana for a Group C clash as Afghanistan take on Uganda in Match number 5 of the competition. The once minnows, Afghanistan who have now become a really potent side will be itching to get going against Uganda who are making their first appearance at any World Cup at the senior level.

... MATCH DAY ...

The 2024 Men's T20 World Cup has started off with a bang and matches continue to come thick and fast and now, in Match 5, Afghanistan take on Uganda at the Guyana National Stadium in Guyana. This will be a Group B battle which also features hosts West Indies, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. West Indies have already beaten PNG to put their first points on the board and now these two sides will be looking to get off to a positive start and it will be highly crucial given this isn't an easy group, even for Afghanistan who are a very competitive T20 side. Speaking about Afghanistan, they will be looking to make their mark in the competition having performed extremely well in the ODI World Cup last year and will be hoping to pip tyhe likes of West Indies and New Zealand to make it through to the next stage but they will need to be at the top of their game against Uganda. Rashid Khan will lead the Afghan side that is filled with T20 specialists and as usual, it will be the spinners who will be key for them. The opening duo of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will be expected to do most of the damage with the bat up top. They have a few all-rounders in the mix as well but someone like Azmatullah Omarzai will be expected to get those big hits at the backend of the innings and bowl a few overs at the top as well. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq make for an experienced pace duo, one that can bowl in different stages of the innings and overall, Afghanistan will be looking to start their campaign with a bang. Uganda on the other hand are newcomers to the Men's T20 World Cup but having outqualified the likes of Zimbabwe and Kenya to reach the mega event shows how far they have come in terms of cricketing ability. Uganda also finished third in the African Games a few months back, losing to Namibia in the semifinal, a team that has now become a regular in the T20 World Cup. They also played a warm-up against Namibia where they lost but they do seem to have the right mindset about the game. The versatile bowler, Brian Masaba will lead the side that also features the likes of Ronak Patel and Roger Mukasa, two very capable batters and the dynamic all-rounder Riazat Ali Shah in the middle order. Cosmas Kyewuta and Bilal Hassan will lead the pace attack and Frank Nsubuga and Alpesh Ramjani will do the heavlifting with their slow left-arm spin in the middle overs. Uganda do have a lot of all-rounders which is always a good sign in T20 cricket but would have a liked a couple of more specialists in the squad. Afghanistan will prove to be a stern test for Uganda but if they can get going with the bat, they do have the bowling to take the opposition down. Will we see an early upset in the competition? Or will Afghanistan start off with a straightforward win? Only time will tell.