AFG Vs UGA: Fazalhaq Farooqi Claims First Fifer Of T20 World Cup 2024, Powers Afghanistan To Mammoth Win

Guyana: Fazalhaq Farooqi became the second Afghanistan bowler to clinch a five-wicket haul in T20 World Cups, as his team started their campaign with a thumping 125-run win against Uganda in a Group C clash at the Providence Stadium on Tuesday. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the first Afghanistani bowler to claim a T20 World Cup five-wicket haul when he achieved the feat against Scotland in 2021.

Playing their first-ever T20 World Cup game, Uganda were given a mammoth target of 184 runs. After Ronak Patel sent Farooqi through the covers on the first ball of the innings, the 23-year-old left-arm hit back with back-to-back wickets in the next two balls to break the backbone of Uganda batting.

He returned for his second spell in the 13th over with another twin strike before completing his fifer by dismissing Robinson Obuya, who edged behind to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Notably, it was Farooqi’s first five-wicket haul in T20Is.

Farooqi ended his four over spell with 5/9, which is only the fourth time in the history of T20 World Cup that a bowler took a fifer by conceding less than ten runs. He was named as player of the match for his delightful bowling against the associate nation.

Besides Farooqi, Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq took two wickets each while Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed one. Uganda were bowled out for 58 in 16 overs. It was also the fourth-lowest total in the history of T20 World Cup.

Earlier, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (76) and Imrahim Zadran (70) put on 154 runs for the first wicket in 15 overs. However, Uganda made a great comeback in the final five overs to eventually settle for 183/5 in 20 overs.