'Sad we can't play in Australia' - Usman Khawaja fires shots at CA as he celebrates Afghanistan's historic T20 World Cup win

Australia Test opener Usman Khawaja came up with a heartfelt message for Rashid Khan after Afghanistan beat Mitchell Marsh-led side in the Super 8 fixture of the T20 World Cup 2024. He lauded the leg-spinner's team for their stupendous effort and also expressed his disappointment with Afghanistan not being allowed to play with Australia.

Afghanistan National Cricket Team came up with a sensational effort in the game against Australia. They kept themselves alive in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 as they defeated the 2021 champions by 21 runs at the Arnos Vale Ground Kingstown in St Vincent.

Asked to bat first, Afghanistan had a stellar start with the bat as Rahmanullah Gurbaz (60) and Ibrahim Zadran (51) batted with great control. The duo added 118 runs for one opening partnership and set the platform for a big total on the board.

But Australia pulled back things incredibly well after that and kept taking wickets at regular intervals. Pat Cummins took his second consecutive hat-trick in the T20 World Cup 2024 while Adam Zampa bagged two wickets as they restricted Afghanistan to 148/6.

Australia were off to a torrid start with the bat as they lost Travis Head in the first over and then David Warner and skipper Mitchell Marsh too fell early. With the team under pressure, Glenn Maxwell (59) stood tall for his team slammed a brutal half-century, and gave a scare to Afghanistan.

However, the introduction of Gulbadin Naib changed the game for Afghanistan. He picked up four wickets in a flash as the Rashid Khan-led side bundled out the opposition for 127 runs to win the game by 21 runs. This was their first-ever win over Australia in the game of cricket.

As Afghanistan won the game, captain Rashid Khan expressed his joy and delight. He took to his Twitter account. He claimed that unbelievable things happen and the win against Australia will make them proud. He stated:

"Unbelievable things happen if you believe! A win we are all going to be proud of, this is for all of you who believe in us."

Here's the post:

Unbelievable things happen if you believe! 💪

A win we are all going to be proud of, this is for all of you who believe in us 💙🇦🇫#<!---->T<!---->2<!---->0<!---->W<!---->o<!---->r<!---->l<!---->d<!---->C<!---->u<!---->p #<!---->I<!---->C<!---->C p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->x<!---->X<!---->8<!---->2<!---->n<!---->T<!---->4<!---->F<!---->G<!---->V

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->2<!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

You boys are an inspiration for so many back home and abroad - Usman Khawaja's message to Rashid Khan

As Rashid Khan expressed his delight, Usman Khan also came up with a congratulatory message for the Afghanistan National Cricket Team. He stated that the performance will inspire many. He stated:

"Well done Brother. The better team on the day. You boys are an inspiration for so many back home and abroad. So sad we can't see you all play in Australia."

Well done Brother. Better team on the day. You boys are an inspiration for so many back home and abroad. So sad we can't see you all play in Australia. h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->d<!---->7<!---->P<!---->M<!---->f<!---->x<!---->T<!---->c<!---->g<!---->N

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->2<!---->3<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Notably, Australia didn't opt to play against Afghanistan in the bilateral series twice. This was because Cricket Australia stated that they didn't want to play against a nation who don't support women. After that various Afghanistan players expressed their disappointment with the 2023 World Cup winners and even pulled out of the Big Bash League.