(Credit ACB)
Afghanistan secured their first-ever entry into the semi-finals of an ICC tournament by defeating Bangladesh in a pivotal Super 8 match at the T20 World Cup 2024. Rashid Khan and the entire Afghanistan team celebrated this historic achievement with joy and emotion.
Following the victory, Rashid Khan shared a poignant post on social media that captured widespread attention.
‘Bambai se aaya mera dost’ – Rashid Khan posts on social media
India clinched a comfortable 47-run victory in that match. Despite Rashid Khan’s superb performance of 3-26, Afghanistan fell short as India’s seasoned team ultimately triumphed.
In the T20 World Cup 2024, both India and Afghanistan stand as the only Asian teams to reach the semi-finals. The players from both nations share a strong bond and mutual respect. Rashid Khan, a prominent figure in the IPL, enjoys widespread recognition in India.
Afghanistan secured a historic spot in the semi-finals with a hard-fought 8-run victory over Bangladesh in Kingstown, St. Vincent. Despite a challenging batting performance that saw them post just 115 runs in 20 overs against a disciplined Bangladesh bowling attack, Afghanistan rallied with an outstanding display with the ball.
Led by Naveen-ul-Haq, Afghanistan’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure, with fast bowlers Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi early reducing Bangladesh to 23-3. Despite rain interruptions and a resilient innings from Litton Das, Afghanistan persisted with aggressive bowling, ultimately cleaning up Bangladesh’s tail with 12 runs needed off 12 balls and two wickets remaining.
Captain Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq led the charge with four wickets each, supported by contributions from Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib, who also picked up a wicket each. This victory propelled Afghanistan into the semi-finals alongside India, South Africa, and England, while Australia faced elimination from the tournament.
India extended their flawless streak in the tournament with a commanding 24-run victory over Australia in St. Lucia. On a favorable batting surface, Rohit Sharma exhibited a T20 batting clinic, hammering 92 runs off just 41 balls.
Despite facing pressure from Travis Head’s batting onslaught, India’s bowlers staged a strong comeback. Arshdeep Singh stood out with 3 wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav’s pivotal spell of 2-24 further bolstered India’s defense.
The first semi-final, scheduled for June 27 in Trinidad, will feature Afghanistan against South Africa. Meanwhile, the second semi-final in Guyana will showcase India against England, a rematch of the last edition’s semi-finalists, vying for a spot in the tournament final.
