Afghanistan Seals Semis Berth with Nail-Biting Win Over Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2024, Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Highlights, T20 World Cup 2024
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Highlights, T20 World Cup 2024: BAN 105 all out; AFG Make Semis with 8-Run Win
In a high-stakes clash at the T20 World Cup 2024, Afghanistan edged out Bangladesh by a mere 8 runs to secure their spot in the semifinals. The match, held at a packed stadium in Brisbane, Australia, saw Afghanistan’s bowlers put on a stellar performance, defending a modest total of 113 runs to clinch a thrilling victory.
First Innings: Afghanistan’s Struggle with the Bat
Winning the toss, Afghanistan opted to bat first, aiming to set a challenging target for Bangladesh. However, their innings got off to a shaky start. Bangladesh’s opening bowlers, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, exploited the early morning conditions, making life difficult for Afghanistan’s top order.
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Rahman struck early, removing Hazratullah Zazai for a duck. Afghanistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with only Rahmanullah Gurbaz (28 off 24 balls) and Najibullah Zadran (25 off 30 balls) offering some resistance. Skipper Rashid Khan chipped in with a crucial 22 runs towards the end, helping Afghanistan post a total of 113 runs before being bowled out in 19.3 overs.
Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, claiming 3 wickets for 18 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan picked up 2 wickets each.
Second Innings: Bangladesh’s Collapse
Chasing a modest target of 114 runs, Bangladesh were expected to cruise to victory. However, Afghanistan’s bowlers had other plans. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi opened the bowling for Afghanistan, immediately putting Bangladesh on the back foot.
Mujeeb struck in his first over, dismissing Liton Das for just 1 run. Bangladesh’s batsmen struggled to build partnerships, and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Captain Shakib Al Hasan fought valiantly, scoring a gritty 30 off 28 balls, but found little support from the other end.
Rashid Khan’s introduction into the attack further tightened Afghanistan’s grip on the match. The leg-spinner spun a web around the Bangladeshi batsmen, finishing with figures of 4-18. Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq also contributed with 2 wickets each, ensuring that Bangladesh were bowled out for 105 runs in 19.2 overs.
Turning Point: Rashid Khan’s Magic Spell
The turning point of the match was undoubtedly Rashid Khan’s spell. His ability to extract turn and bounce on a pitch that offered some assistance to spinners proved to be the decisive factor. Rashid’s dismissals of Shakib Al Hasan and Afif Hossain in quick succession were crucial in derailing Bangladesh’s chase.
Afghanistan’s Road to the Semis
With this victory, Afghanistan not only secured their place in the semifinals but also sent a strong message to the other teams. Their ability to defend a low total under pressure highlights their strength in the bowling department. This win marks a significant achievement for Afghanistan, showcasing their growth and resilience in the international cricket arena.
Post-Match Reactions
Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan, speaking at the post-match presentation, expressed his delight at the team’s performance. “It was a team effort, and the bowlers were exceptional today. Defending a low total is never easy, but we believed in our abilities and stuck to our plans,” Rashid said.
Bangladesh’s captain Shakib Al Hasan, on the other hand, rued the missed opportunity. “We should have chased this target. Our batting let us down, and we need to reflect on our performance and come back stronger in the next match,” he commented.
Looking Ahead
As Afghanistan looks forward to the semifinals, they will aim to carry this momentum into the next stage of the tournament. Bangladesh, despite the loss, still have a chance to make it to the knockouts, provided they win their remaining matches and other results go in their favor.
The T20 World Cup 2024 continues to deliver thrilling contests, with Afghanistan’s remarkable victory over Bangladesh being one of the standout moments of the tournament so far.
Afghanistan’s win not only elevates their status in world cricket but also sets the stage for more exciting matches ahead in the T20 World Cup 2024. Fans eagerly await the semifinals, where Afghanistan will look to continue their impressive run and possibly lift the trophy.
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