Afghanistan storm into maiden World Cup semi-finals; Australia knocked out
Afghanistan storm into maiden World Cup semi-finals; Australia knocked out
The night in Kingstown was a rollercoaster of emotions, rain interruptions, and nail-biting tension. Afghanistan emerged victorious, securing their first-ever berth in a men's senior World Cup semi-final, leaving both Bangladesh and Australia heartbroken.
A Match Dictated by Rain
The drama unfolded due to multiple rain stoppages. Initially, all three teams - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia - were vying for the single semi-final spot from Group 1 of the Super Eight stage. The rain only added to the chaos, creating a tense "cat-and-mouse game" for nearly an hour. DLS calculations kept shifting the advantage between the teams as wickets fell.
Bangladesh's Determined Chase
Bangladesh needed a challenging 116 runs in just 12.1 overs to secure their place in the semi-final, pushing both Australia and Afghanistan out. However, a 20-minute downpour delayed their chase, making the shortened game even tougher.
Litton Das, Bangladesh's lone warrior, held his ground throughout the chase. He displayed grit after a forgettable 2024 in T20Is, where his strike rate dipped below 100. Despite his valiant effort, Bangladesh fell short.
Naveen's Early Burst and Rashid's Crucial Wickets
Naveen-ul-Haq's fiery opening spell rattled Bangladesh's top order. He dismissed three crucial batsmen - Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, and Soumya Sarkar - restricting them to a meager 23 for 3.
Later, when Bangladesh looked to be back in contention, courtesy of Litton Das' enterprising batting, Rashid Khan stepped up with his trademark leg-spin. He picked up four wickets, including Ibrahim Zadran and Gurbaz, who had stitched together a crucial partnership for Afghanistan.
A Slow Afghan Start But Crucial Late Surge
Afghanistan's batting approach was cautious, especially during the powerplay and the first ten overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran took minimal risks, reaching a slow but steady 58 for 0 at the ten-over mark. However, Rishad Hossain's introduction in the ninth over changed the game. He dismissed both openers within a few overs, putting Afghanistan in a precarious position.
Just when things seemed bleak, Rashid Khan took center stage. He walked in with only 14 balls remaining and played a crucial cameo, smashing three sixes and scoring a quickfire 19 not out. These valuable runs proved decisive in the end.
A Night of Celebration and Heartbreak
Despite facing a staggering 66 dot balls in their innings, the third-most by any team with five or fewer wickets down in T20I history, Afghanistan successfully defended their total. Their spinners, Rashid and Naveen, who bagged four wickets each, were the heroes of the night.
As the heavens opened up in Kingstown, Afghanistan had secured a historic victory. Their jubilant celebrations contrasted with the despair of Bangladesh and Australia, whose World Cup dreams were shattered on a dramatic night.
Key takeaways:
- Afghanistan's bowling attack, led by Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq, proved to be their X-factor.
- Bangladesh's chase was hampered by early wickets and the pressure of the revised target.
- Rain played a significant role in adding drama and unpredictability to the match.
- This victory marks a significant milestone for Afghan cricket and opens doors for future success.
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