Twitter Reactions: Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan run riot against Scotland as Afghanistan win by 130 runs

Wow! Afghanistan have announced themselves and how! The pitch looked absolutely flat when they batted and when they came out to bowl, the spinners led by Mujeeb Ur Rahman ran riot with none of the Scotland batters reading them at all. The result was an astounding win by 130 runs and that is huge in T20 cricket which might play a huge role as well going forward in this group of the T20 World Cup.

Earlier, Mohammad Nabi won the toss and opted to bat first. Afghanistan‘s openers were brilliant in the powerplay. Both Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad got the team off to a superb start recording the fastest team 50 of the tournament so far. Zazai, especially, was belting the ball dangerously smacking the ball out of the park whenever it was in his arc.

Both the openers were dismissed by the 10th over but Shahzad had scored 22 and Zazai 44 by then and Afghanistan had a nice platform to launch from here on. The middle-order batters Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Najibullah Zadran then took the charge of the innings and stamped their authority as well. It was some questionable bowling from Scotland at times but the credit should be given to the batters for the way they batted.

Interestingly, Najib was the aggressor in the 87-run third wicket stand as he smashed 59 runs off 34 balls while Gurbaz also accumulated 46 runs during his enterprising stay in the middle. Afghanistan enjoyed a grandstand finish to their innings as well as they posted a huge total of 190 runs for the loss of four wickets. Mark Watt was yet again impressive with his left-arm spin but other bowlers simply disappointed.

Mujeeb and Rashid run riot with the ball

Scotland needed a brave effort to chase down 191 runs against Afghanistan spinners. Many had predicted that the likes of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan will be top players but not the way how it actually panned out in Sharjah. Scotland batters literally didn’t have any idea about Mujeeb’s variations. The off-spinner, playing his first T20 World Cup game, ran through the opposition batting line-up with ease.

He bowled four overs on the trot from one end to end with the magical figures of 5/20. Rashid Khan then came into the attack and it was no surprise that he was also amongst wickets. None of the Scotland batters could hang in the middle and strangely, went for a reverse sweep almost every delivery while facing the spinners. Rashid also had fun with the ball picking four wickets for just nine runs.

Scotland were folded for just 60 runs in the 11th over of the game as Afghanistan registered a huge win by 130,the joine-second largest victory in terms of runs in T20 World Cups. This win should surely bring smiles to the face of Afghanistan’s fans who have witnessed the toughest times over the last few months.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Somebody here last week was saying Pak vs NZ will be a virtual quarter-final to join India in semis. 😋

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) October 25, 2021

@Mujeeb_R88 @rashidkhan_19 👏

— Sandeep Lamichhane (@Sandeep25) October 25, 2021

Afghanistan as a nation going through tough times but these wins make them happy as a cricket nation.

— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) October 25, 2021

The Afghanistan everybody loves #AFGvSCO #T20WorldCup

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) October 25, 2021

Powerhouse display by Afghanistan. Played the perfect T20 game. Big runs on the board with Najibullah in the forefront and an oustanding spell from the unplayable Mujeeb. Five wickets in four overs; bravo! #AFGvSCO #T20WorldCup

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 25, 2021

Mujeeb Ur Rahman became the first Afghanistan player to take a five-wicket haul in T20 World Cup

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) October 25, 2021

Congratulations #Afghanistan !!!! you guys truly deserve this win and the happiness. You people have gone through so much in the past couple of months!!!! Unbelievable by Mujeeb and Rashid. #AFGvSCO

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) October 25, 2021

8 overs of mujeeb and rash ? Good luck

— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) October 25, 2021

Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman together tonight against Scotland:

– 6.2 Overs.
– 29 Runs.
– 9 Wickets.
– 3.07 Economy.

– What a bowling performance by both, totally outplayed Scotland.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 25, 2021

Turned out to be a dud contest tonight. First Scotland’s bowlers clouted for 190 by Afghan batsmen, then Scotland batsmen clueless against Mujeeb and Rashid, losing match by a whopping 130 runs. India and NZ in this group will keep a concerned eye on Afghanistan’s progress & NRR

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 25, 2021

Quality performance by #Afghanistan & @Mujeeb_R88 at his bamboozingly best!!! Well done gents 🤸🏽👏 #AFGvSCO @T20WorldCup

— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) October 25, 2021

Outstanding bowling by @Mujeeb_R88 and @rashidkhan_19 well played @iamnajibzadran congratulations to every one 🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫 … pic.twitter.com/UUchFjqoFA

— Rahmat Shah (@RahmatShah_08) October 25, 2021

Der der umbarak shai Afghanistan pa match gatalo. Der zabardast bowling spells @rashidkhan_19 ao @Mujeeb_R88 ao tolo der zabardast batting oko. Der der mubarakbad @ACBofficials

— Junaid khan 83 (@JunaidkhanREAL) October 25, 2021

What a performance Afghanistan! This team has some serious match winners, quality batters and world-class spinners. Top work Mujeeb, this team can surely cause a lot of trouble for major teams especially in UAE conditions.

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 25, 2021