Afghanistan seal dramatic WC semi-final berth

Afghanistan players celebrate their win 

Afghanistan edged out Bangladesh in one of the most dramatic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup contests of all time at St. Vincent in Kingston yesterday.

Needing victory to secure their semi-final berth, the Afghans scraped over the line, ending Australia’s campaign by pinching second spot in Group 1 of the Super Eights. 

Rashid Khan won the toss for Afghanistan and opted to bat first. On the very first ball, there was action as opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was nearly run out off a quick single, only just making it through. 

But Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran steered Afghanistan to 27 for no loss at the conclusion of the Powerplay, but easy runs were proving hard to come by.

Gurbaz and Zadran made it another 50-run stand early in the ninth over, creating a little slice of history in the process. They became the first pair to put together four partnerships of at least 50 in a T20 World Cup.

The breakthrough wicket came on the fourth ball after the mid-innings break, as Zadran was caught. Gurbaz landed two reliving fours in the 14th over but that patch of action was surrounded by tight bowling. 

Azmatullah Omarzai feathered one, removed cheaply while Gurbaz was gone two balls later to start the 16th over. 

Rashid Khan put together an entertaining cameo, sending three over the rope and throwing his bat in disgust of the running between the wickets at one point too. 

His efforts propelled Afghanistan to 115 for five from 20 overs, right as rain arrived in St. Vincent. 

Gurbaz was back in focus as play finally resumed but not on a positive note. An awkwardly-bouncing ball struck the keeper on the knee, causing another short break in play. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi removed Tanzid Hasan to claim yet another T20 World Cup scalp. And Naveen-ul-Haq struck two huge blows in the third over, including the captain.

Midway through the fourth, the rain arrived again. The second delay would exhaust the match’s time reserve – any more delay and DLS would come into effect.

The Tigers needed to complete the run chase in 12.1 overs to overtake the Aussies and qualify for the final four. Back-to-back Towhid Hridoy boundaries in the eighth over swung momentum away from Afghanistan but Khan took care of Hridoy next over – yet another twist.

The requirement became 20 runs from the last four overs and a timely boundary saw Litton reach a 41-ball half century. He looked to dominate strike and carefully craft the finishing touches on the chase.

But Taskin Ahmed chopped on a Naveen-ul-Haq ball, making it 109 for nine with Bangladesh requiring nine runs from the final eight deliveries – with just one wicket in hand. 
ICC