Jubilant scenes erupted at the Arnos Vale Ground as Afghanistan registered a thrilling victory over Bangladesh to book their place in the semifinals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
A hard-fought win for Afghanistan
Chasing a modest target of 116 set by Afghanistan, Bangladesh fell short by 8 runs despite a valiant effort from Litton Das (54 not out). The turning point came when Afghan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq ripped through the Bangladeshi batting order, claiming a match-winning 4 wickets for 26 runs. Rashid Khan (4/23) also played a crucial role with his spin wizardry.
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Unbridled joy in the Afghan camp
The victory sparked immense celebration within the Afghan camp. Players hoisted their captain, Rashid Khan, onto their shoulders, while coach Jonathan Trott playfully carried a jubilant Rahmanullah Gurbaz (43 runs) – the team’s top scorer. The camaraderie and excitement were palpable as they celebrated this historic achievement.
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“It’s something like a dream for us as a team being in the semifinal. It’s all about the way we have started the tournament,” Afghanistan skipper Rashid said in the post-match presentation.
“The belief came while we beat New Zealand. It’s unbelievable, I don’t have any words to describe my feelings. Back home, everyone is so happy for this big achievement,” he remarked.
“The only guy who put us in the semifinal was Brian Lara and we proved that right. Before the competition at the welcome party, I told him, ‘We won’t let you down. We’ll make it through and prove you’re right.’ I am proud of this team,” added Rashid.
This win marks a significant milestone for Afghanistan cricket. They will now travel to Trinidad, where they’ll face a formidable South Africa in the first semifinal. The Afghans will be aiming to continue their impressive run in the tournament and create another major upset.
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2024 – Fans and experts go berserk as Afghanistan reach the semifinals, eliminate Bangladesh and Australia
