'Not an upset' - Wasim Jaffer fires a dig at Australia after Afghanistan's historic T20 World Cup 2024 win

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer feels that Afghanistan's victory over Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup Super 8s cannot be considered as an upset.

Afghanistan and Australia were playing their 2nd Super 8 game of the second round of the T20 World Cup in West Indies. The Afghans needed a victory to remain alive in the race for the semi-finals, which will see the top two teams from Groups 1 and 2 proceed to the last 4.

Rashid Khan's side had put up a clinical batting as well as bowling performance against the Aussies. Mitchell Marsh's side could have gone level at 4 points with the Indian team had they won this match but now they find themselves in a do-or-die situation.

In case of Australia's loss against India in their final Super 8 game of the tournament, they will get knocked out. The only team that can help them reach the semis is Bangladesh. If Najmul Hossain Shanto's side can beat Afghanistan and the Aussies lose by a small margin, then there will be narrow chances for the 2021 Champions.

The Baggy Greens have been very strong in ICC tournaments and they know how to stage a comeback in World Cups. Australia's comeback in the Cricket World Cup 2023 after losing to India and South Africa in their first two league matches, is a prime example.

At the end of the tournament, South Africa and India were the opponents that the Aussies defeated in the semi-final and the final in Ahmedabad. On their way to the last match, Pat Cummins' side defeated Afghanistan even after losing 7 wickets while chasing down 292 in Wankhede.

What did Wasim Jaffer say about Afghanistan?

Afghanistan's positive performances in the recent past prompted Wasim Jaffer not to call their victory over Australia an upset. Jaffer believes that Asians are no longer minnows in ICC tournaments as they have come a long way and have improved drastically in terms of skill and game awareness.

Wasim Jaffer took to X (formerly Twitter) and said that Afghanistan have the capability of beating any team in the world on their day. He added that playing to their full potential and showing dedication to win is the real reason why the Afghans were able to beat the Kangaroos.

"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," Wasim Jaffer wrote on X.

Opening batters Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz were the ones to lead the charge with their explosive opening partnership of 118 runs. In the 2nd innings, all-rounder Gulbadin Naib finished off Australia, thanks to his figures of 4/20.

Here Is The Tweet

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 @<!---->A<!---->C<!---->B<!---->o<!---->f<!---->f<!---->i<!---->c<!---->i<!---->a<!---->l<!---->s 👏🏼👏🏼 #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->A<!---->F<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->e<!---->3<!---->Y<!---->d<!---->x<!---->a<!---->p<!---->3<!---->k<!---->C

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->2<!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4