Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Wednesday, 26 June 2024 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Afghanistan celebrate first ever entry into World Cup semi-final
Two days after beating Australia, Afghanistan went one step further with an incredible eight-run win on the DLS method over Bangladesh at Kingstown on Tuesday, to advance to the semi-final of a World Cup for the first time, in the final Super 8 match of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Once India beat Australia in the morning game, the requirement was clear: a win would take Afghanistan through ahead of the 2021 champions. However, Bangladesh came as a thorn in their flesh, putting in a commendable bowling performance to restrict Afghanistan to 115-5 in 20 overs.
The conditions got a bit better with rain spells and Litton Das showed batting resolve with an unbeaten 54 off 49 balls (5 fours, 1 six), keeping Bangladesh well above the asking rate. Litton kept losing partners and Afghanistan, despite a few dropped chances, sealed a historic win with Rashid Khan (4/23) and Naveen-ul-Haq (4/26) combining to take their side to the last four.
Naveen’s two wickets in the opening spell proved key, with another four-for after his spell against Australia. There will be some broken Australian hearts as well, who are knocked out with this result.
Litton became only the second batsman to carry his bat through a completed T20I innings in World Cups after Chris Gayle against Sri Lanka at the Oval in 2009. Bangladesh would have comfortably got over the line if not for the collapse during the middle overs.
Contrastingly, Afghanistan did well to lose only one wicket in this phase.
The Afghanistan players did a lap of the ground. They have their own supporters but the West Indian people too were rooting for them and it is only fair to thank them. Some of the players have the Afghanistan flag wrapped around them.
The tears have turned into elation now. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is in tears and is limping, still following his teammates. Rashid has been lifted onto the shoulder. What a servant he has been for his country. They needed him and he led them from the front.
Scores:
Afghanistan 115-5 (20) (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 43, Rishad Hossain 3/26)
Bangladesh 105 (17.5) (Litton Das 54*, Naveen-ul-Haq 4/26, Rashid Khan 4/23)
