In a gripping contest marked by fluctuating fortunes and rain interruptions, Afghanistan clinched a historic 8-run victory over Bangladesh to advance to their first-ever semifinal in the T20 World Cup 2024. The match, held at the picturesque Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St. Vincent, was a testament to Afghanistan’s growing prowess in international cricket.

Match Summary

Afghanistan: 115/5 in 20 overs
Bangladesh: 106 all out in 17.4 overs (revised target: 114 in 19 overs due to rain)

Afghanistan’s Innings

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan faced a challenging start as Bangladesh’s bowlers initially kept a tight grip on proceedings. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran cautiously navigated the early overs to lay a foundation.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a patient knock, scoring 43 off 55 balls, anchoring the innings while Ibrahim Zadran contributed 18 off 29 balls before being dismissed. Bangladesh’s bowling spearhead Rishad Hossain delivered a disciplined performance, conceding only 22 runs in his 4 overs and claiming 2 crucial wickets to restrict Afghanistan’s scoring momentum.

Despite a late flourish from Rashid Khan, who hit two sixes in the final over, Afghanistan could only manage to post a modest total of 115/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Bangladesh’s Chase

Bangladesh’s pursuit of a revised target of 114 runs in 19 overs, due to rain interruptions, was hampered by intermittent showers that disrupted their rhythm. Afghanistan capitalized on the conditions to apply early pressure.

Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq struck early blows, removing Bangladesh’s top-order batsmen to put them under pressure from the outset. Litton Das stood out with a fighting half-century, showing resilience in adverse conditions, but found little support from the other end as wickets fell at regular intervals.

As the match progressed, Afghanistan’s bowlers tightened their grip. Naveen-ul-Haq’s standout performance was pivotal, conceding just 27 runs in his 4 overs while claiming 3 crucial wickets at decisive moments. His ability to maintain control and pick wickets at crucial junctures proved instrumental in Afghanistan’s victory.

Despite Litton Das’s valiant effort, Bangladesh fell short of the revised target, bowled out for 106 in 17.4 overs. Afghanistan’s triumph not only secured them a historic semifinal spot but also underscored their ascent as a formidable force in T20 cricket.

Looking Ahead In T20 World Cup 2024

Afghanistan’s journey to the semifinals is a remarkable achievement for a team that has steadily climbed the ranks in international cricket. Their disciplined bowling attack, combined with strategic batting, has paved the way for this historic milestone. As they prepare for the semifinals, the team will look to build on this momentum and continue their impressive run in the tournament.

For Bangladesh, the loss was a disappointing end to a campaign that had shown promise. Despite the defeat, there were notable individual performances, such as Litton Das’s innings, that highlighted the talent within their ranks. Bangladesh will aim to regroup and come back stronger in future tournaments.

Afghanistan’s triumph over Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup 2024 quarterfinals is a testament to their growth and resilience in the sport. With a semifinal berth secured, the cricketing world will be keenly watching to see if Afghanistan can continue their historic journey and perhaps even challenge for the title.

India to Face England in T20 World Cup Semifinals

Meanwhile, an unbeaten India will face defending champions England in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2024 in Guyana. India secured their place after defeating Australia by 24 runs, with Rohit Sharma’s explosive 92 off 41 balls leading the charge. The clash promises high-stakes cricket as both teams vie for a spot in the final in Barbados.

India’s victory over Australia in Saint Lucia was marked by Sharma’s exceptional innings, which included 8 sixes and 6 fours, setting the stage for a challenging total of 188/3 in their allotted 20 overs. Australia, in response, fell short despite valiant efforts from their top order, managing 164/9 in their 20 overs. This win ensured India finished on top of the Super Eight group, setting up a tantalizing semifinal clash against England.

England, the defending champions, secured their semifinal berth after finishing second in their Super Eight group. Led by captain Jos Buttler, England displayed a mix of solid batting and disciplined bowling throughout the tournament. Buttler’s leadership and crucial contributions with the bat have been pivotal in England’s campaign thus far.