Afghanistan secured their first-ever T20 World Cup semi-final berth by defeating Bangladesh by eight runs (DLS method) at the Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent.
The nail-biting finish saw Afghanistan triumph in a low-scoring thriller, outplaying Bangladesh in a crucial Group 1 decider that included Australia. The victory means Afghanistan will face South Africa in Wednesday’s semi-final at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.
“We wanted to make history, and today we did it. Our bowlers were exceptional under pressure,”
said Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan.
Afghanistan’s bowlers delivered a stellar performance, defending a modest target and keeping Bangladesh’s batters in check. The team required just a simple win or even a no-result to advance, while Bangladesh needed to chase down 116 runs in 12.1 overs to qualify. Despite the challenging conditions, Afghanistan emerged victorious, sending the Australian team packing.
Rain Adds to the Drama
The match saw frequent rain interruptions, particularly after the first innings, which added to the suspense. With Bangladesh’s target revised to 114 in 19 overs during their chase, it became clear that Afghanistan was on the brink of making history.
At 80/7 in the 11th over, Bangladesh still had hopes of a win, with Litton Das (54* off 49) holding firm.
However, Afghanistan’s bowlers held their nerve, with Naveen-ul-Haq delivering two crucial wickets in the 18th over, ultimately bundling out Bangladesh for 105 in 17.5 overs.
Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan were the stars with the ball, each claiming four wickets and ensuring Afghanistan’s spot in the semi-finals.
Naveen-ul-Haq, who was named Player of the Match, added,
“The conditions were tough, but we believed in ourselves. This victory means everything to us.”
Afghanistan’s Batting Struggles
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan aimed to post a challenging total but found themselves struggling on a tricky pitch. Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with 43 off 55 balls, but no other batter managed to cross the 20-run mark.
The middle order faltered under pressure, with Rashid Khan trying to provide a late surge by hitting three sixes. However, Afghanistan could only muster 115/5 in their 20 overs. Rishad Hossain was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, picking up three wickets.
With this win, Afghanistan not only celebrated a significant milestone but also sent a message of their growing prowess in international cricket.
Brief Scores:
- Afghanistan: 115/5 in 20 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 43, Rashid Khan 22*; Rishad Hossain 3/21)
- Bangladesh: 105 in 17.5 overs (Litton Das 54*; Rashid Khan 4/20, Naveen-ul-Haq 4/21)
As Afghanistan prepares to face South Africa in the semi-finals, the cricketing world watches with anticipation to see if they can continue their historic run in the tournament.
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