AFGHANISTAN MADE HISTORY. THEY ARE IN T20 WORLD CUP 2024 SEMIFINAL AFTER BEATING BANGLADESH.

 

Afghanistan celebrated their victory in the Twenty20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight cricket match against Bangladesh at Arnos Vale Stadium in Arnos Vale, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Afghanistan secured their inaugural T20 World Cup semifinal berth with an exhilarating eight-run win over Bangladesh in a rain-affected match at Arnos Vale Stadium in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Defending a modest total of 115 for five on a challenging pitch, Afghan captain Rashid Khan overcame three rain interruptions, a wet ball, and a revised target of 114 runs off 19 overs to claim impressive figures of four for 23. Bangladesh, who had hopes of progressing to the semifinals themselves, were bowled out for 105 in 17.5 overs.

Opener Litton Das' unbeaten 54 posed a threat to Afghanistan's victory hopes and could have propelled Bangladesh to the semifinals based on net run-rate, which would have ousted Australia. However, pacer Naveen ul-Haq dismissed the last two batsmen – Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman – in consecutive deliveries during the penultimate over, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Afghan team.

Earlier in the day, India's win over Australia confirmed Afghanistan's second-place finish in the group, eliminating both Australia and Bangladesh from contention. Afghanistan now prepares to face South Africa in the first semifinal in Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, while India will meet England in the other semifinal in Guyana on Thursday.

Afghanistan supporters congregated at an intersection in Jalalabad to watch the live broadcast of the Afghanistan versus Bangladesh match on a large screen.                                                                                                                               [AFP]

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan's captain, receives congratulations from teammate Mohammad Ishaq following his dismissal of Bangladesh's Rishad Hossain.                                                                                        [Ricardo Mazalan/AP Photo]

Ibrahim Zadran of Afghanistan celebrates with teammates after dismissing Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman to secure the team's eight-run victory. [Ricardo Mazalan/AP Photo]

Afghanistan's wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq appeals for the dismissal of Bangladesh's Litton Das, but the appeal is turned down. [Ricardo Mazalan/AP Photo]

Rahmanullah Gurbaz of Afghanistan narrowly avoids being run out. [Randy Brooks / AFP]