Kingstown, St. Vincent – June 24, 2024: In a nail-biting encounter filled with rain interruptions and fluctuating emotions, Afghanistan secured a historic victory against Bangladesh to clinch their first-ever berth in the semi-finals of a men’s senior World Cup. The dramatic win, achieved by a narrow margin of eight runs via the DLS method, also resulted in Australia’s elimination from the T20 World Cup 2024.
Twin Spin Attack Wrecks Bangladesh Batting
Afghanistan’s bowling attack, spearheaded by the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq, proved too much to handle for Bangladesh. Both bowlers picked up four wickets each, restricting Bangladesh to a score of 105 runs in their rain-affected chase of 116.
Litton Das’ Heroics Fall Short
Litton Das, the lone bright spark for Bangladesh, played a valiant knock of 54* runs. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome the consistent pressure applied by the Afghan spinners.
Rain Adds Another Layer of Drama
Multiple rain interventions throughout the match added a layer of uncertainty to the proceedings. The stoppages in play forced Bangladesh to chase a revised target within a shorter timeframe, putting them at a significant disadvantage.
DLS Calculations Keep Everyone on Edge
The ever-changing DLS par score kept both teams and fans on the edge of their seats. Brief glimpses of hope for Bangladesh were quickly extinguished as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Naveen Steals the Show with Final Wicket
Naveen emerged as the hero for Afghanistan, taking the final wicket to seal the victory and trigger a wave of ecstatic celebrations.
Afghanistan Celebrates, Australia Left Disappointed
The result sent Afghanistan into a frenzy, their players and supporters erupting in joy at achieving a historic feat. Australia, on the other hand, were left to rue their earlier defeat to India, which ultimately cost them a place in the semi-finals.
Afghanistan Now Faces South Africa in Semi-Final Clash
With this win, Afghanistan sets up a mouthwatering semi-final clash against South Africa. The stage is set for another exciting encounter in the T20 World Cup 2024.