Afghanistan beat Bangladesh in their final Super 8 match on Tuesday (June 25) to secure their berth in the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup. It was the best day in sporting history for Afghanistan as they qualified for the semi-finals of a World Cup for the first time in their history. Afghanistan's victory means that the 2021 champions, Australia, are officially out of the tournament.
There was plenty of drama in the crucial rain-soaked encounter at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent. Before the outcome of this game, a total of three teams were vying for a place in the knockouts and Afghanistan held their nerve to grab it. A fitting end to the Super 8 stage of the World Cup as Afghanistan won by 8 runs (via the DLS method).
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan got off to a slow start as the Bangladesh bowlers took maximum advantage of the sluggish nature of the pitch. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran once again led the charge as the duo spent more than 10 overs at the crease, scoring 58 runs.
However, frequent loss of wickets did not allow Afghanistan to capitalize on a strong foundation. Bangladesh managed to dismiss Azmatullah Omarzai (10 off 12) and Gurbaz (43 off 55) and ignited a mini-collapse. They lost half the side for 34 runs in a bid to accelerate the scoring rate. However, Rashid Khan’s impactful cameo (19* off 10) helped the team post 115-5.
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Naveen, Rashid Khan tear apart Bangladesh's batting
Bangladesh needed to reach the target in 12.1 overs to qualify for the semi-final. They got off to a poor start as Fazalhaq Farooqi removed Tanzid Hasan for a duck in the second over. The Afghan bowlers managed to strike frequently, but Litton Das held on at one end, threatening to take the game away from the opposition.
Barring Litton’s 54* off 49, there were not many contributions from the rest of the Bangla batters. Eventually, the Bangla Tigers were bundled out for 105 runs in 17.5 overs. Naveen-ul-Haq grabbed four wickets at an economy of 6.80 and won the Player of the Match. Captain Rashid Khan also took four wickets, while Gulbadin Naib and Farooqi picked up one each.
Here's how fans reacted to Afghanistan's famous win:
What a match 🔥🔥
— Govind18🇮🇳 (@govind_12_) June 25, 2024
Best feeling for afganistan 🔥
— Pawan Kumar 🇮🇳 (@I_Travel_Spy) June 25, 2024
Congratulations Afganistan,
— K¹⁸. (@KrishnaVK_18) June 25, 2024
India will meet you in finals pic.twitter.com/HvKJrX8TYp
RASHID IN INDIAN DRESSING ROOM pic.twitter.com/d7WiDMKgXu
— तनय ( Modi Ka Parivar ) (@TanayRssSanghi) June 25, 2024
they deserved this....congrats to them
— Mr. Fortune 📉📈 (@FoolFortune96) June 25, 2024
Love u bhai love u pic.twitter.com/FXW9zo9gaW
— SIDDHARTH (@S_I_D_007) June 25, 2024
Why I am so happy 🥺🥺🥺
— Deekshitha (@Deeksh_Aithal) June 25, 2024
🥭 man did it
— Muzaffarpur Now (@muzaffarpurlive) June 25, 2024
Let’s laugh on Australia 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Atul (@dikhhat_hai_) June 25, 2024
This game.. pic.twitter.com/e9ZaSjlFUW
— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) June 25, 2024