Rain, Drama, and Triumph: Afghanistan Beats Bangladesh to Enter T20 World Cup Semifinals

In a gripping encounter at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown, Afghanistan clinched a thrilling 8-run victory against Bangladesh, securing their place in the T20 World Cup semifinals for the first time in cricketing history. This dramatic win not only knocked Australia out of the tournament but also set the stage for Afghanistan to face South Africa in the upcoming semifinal.

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 🇦🇫

Afghanistan are through to the #T20WorldCup 2024 semi-final 👏 pic.twitter.com/gUxYiinmDC

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 25, 2024

AFG vs BAN Match Highlights

Afghanistan’s Innings: Struggling to Set a Target

Afghanistan batted first in this must-win Super 8 match under challenging conditions. The game saw interruptions due to rain. Despite the rain disruptions, Bangladesh’s bowlers put up a strong performance. Afghanistan was restricted to a modest total of 115/5. Their innings was marked by a steady fall of wickets, with Bangladesh keeping a tight grip on the run rate. The match eventually led to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method being applied. The match was reduced to 19 overs per side, setting Afghanistan a revised target to aim for.

Bangladesh’s Chase: A Collapse Under Pressure

Chasing a revised DLS target of 114 runs in 19 overs, Bangladesh’s batting lineup faced immense pressure. Litton Das emerged as the lone warrior for Bangladesh, carrying his bat with an unbeaten 54 runs. However, the rest of the batting order crumbled under Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack.

The chase started shakily and Bangladesh struggled to build partnerships. As wickets tumbled regularly, they could not gather the momentum needed to overhaul the target. They fell short, finishing their innings at 105, eight runs adrift of the target.

Player of the Match: Naveen-ul-Haq

Naveen-ul-Haq was named the Player of the Match for his exceptional bowling performance. His economical spell and crucial back to back 2 wickets in the 17th overs were pivotal in this historic win.

Afghanistan’s hero 🦸‍♂️ 🇦🇫

Naveen-Ul-Haq is awarded the @Aramco POTM after his match-winning effort of 4/26 led his nation to the #T20WorldCup semi-finals 🏅 #AFGvBAN pic.twitter.com/34CFe3xASA

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 25, 2024

Rain and the DLS Method

The match was significantly affected by rain, causing multiple interruptions. The DLS method, which recalculates the target score in rain-affected games, set a new target of 114 for Bangladesh to chase in 19 overs. This adjustment added to the intensity of the already high-stakes game.

Historic Achievement for Afghanistan

This victory marked a monumental moment for Afghanistan cricket as they advanced to the semifinals of a major ICC tournament for the first time. Their consistent performances throughout the Super 8 stage laid the foundation for this historic achievement.

Semifinal Lineup

Following Afghanistan’s win, the semifinal matchups have been confirmed:

• Afghanistan will face South Africa on Thursday, June 27, at 6:00 AM IST.
• India will take on England on the same day at 8:00 PM IST.

Afghanistan’s journey to the semifinals was boosted by their solid performance against Bangladesh. Additionally, Australia’s defeat to India last night confirmed their exit from the tournament, paving the way for Afghanistan’s historic advancement.

Afghanistan’s narrow win over Bangladesh and their subsequent entry into the semifinals highlight their remarkable progress in international cricket. As they prepare to face South Africa, fans around the world will be watching to see if they can continue their dream run in the T20 World Cup. For more update keep visiting cricket bet pro.

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