Afghanistan advanced to the semi-finals of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup with a dramatic eight-run victory (DLS) over Bangladesh in their final Super Eight match in St Vincent on Tuesday. Afghanistan joined India as the qualifiers from Group 1, thus eliminating Australia from the tournament. Bangladesh also had an opportunity to progress or send Australia through with a victory. However, the Afghans bowled out Bangladesh for 105, securing the victory they needed to set up their first World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Trinidad on Thursday.
With Afghanistan's stunning win over Bangladesh on Tuesday (IST) and historic entry into their maiden World Cup semifinals, the 'Super 8s' stage of the T20 World Cup concluded to complete the semi-final lineup. Unbeaten India topped Group 1 with six points, while Afghanistan knocked out Australia to finish second with four points to progress to the semis. In Group 2, South Africa qualified for the last-four stage as the toppers with six points, followed by defending champions England with four points.
It's something like a dream for us as a team being in the semifinal. It's all about the way we have started the tournament. The belief came while we beat NZ. I don;t have any words to describe the feeling. The only guy who put us in the semifinal was Brian Lara and we proved it right. I told him we won;t let you down. We thought 130-135 was a good total on this wicket. We were 15-20 runs short. It was all about mindset. We knew they would come hard at us to chase that in 12 overs. That's where we could take advantage, We just had to be clear with our plans. We put in the effort, that's in our hands. Everyone did a wonderful job. In T20s, we have a strong base, especially in bowling. The quality of fast bowling we have, they are skillful. They have great starts in this competition and it makes our job easier in the middle. Rain was on and off, but mentally we were there. We had to take 10 wickets, that's the only way to get to the semifinal, there's no other way. Gulbadin had some cramps I think, hopefully he'll be alright. That wicket he took was massive for us. It's a massive celebration back home. The country will be very proud back home. Being in the semis is big now, we have to go with a clear mind. We'll have to keep things simple and make sure we enjoy the big occasion.
I think we bowled really well, we did lots of good things but as a batting unit, we made poor decisions especially in the middle overs. The plan was to go hard in the first six wickets, that didn't happen and the middle-order couldn't execute. The whole tournament we bowled really well, especially Rishad the new guy, the fast bowlers also did really well. The batting needs to improve, the top-order didn't perform well. It can happen, the ball got wet and that's a good thing. As I said, we didn't execute well with the bat and made a lot of wrong decisions.
T20 World Cup semi-finals line-up
Afghanistan vs South Africa at 6 am IST on June 27
India vs England at 8 pm IST on June 27
STATS! Most 4-wicket hauls in Men's T20Is
9 - Rashid Khan (AFG)
8 - Shakib Al Hasan (BAN)
7 - Henry Ssenyondo (UGA)
Thank you so much, I want to thank mighty Allah for this achievement, we have worked hard for this since the last few years, we were dreaming about this day and it’s a surreal feeling. We always knew that they would go hard in the powerplay to chase the total down in 12.1 overs, so we knew we were in the game, the plan was simple - to mix it up and we got crucial wickets in the powerplay. These are the games you never know what can happen, after a boundary, you feel the game is gone, but a wicket brings you back in the game, so the margin for error is very small. These kind of wickets are not high-scoring ones so you are always in the game. We have worked hard for this and we are in the semis, we are very happy.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Afghanistan in first-ever World Cup semis
Afghanistan clinched a dramatic eight-run victory over Bangladesh under the Duckworth-Lewis System in St Vincent on Tuesday, securing their spot in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. This win places them alongside India as the qualifiers from Group 1, effectively eliminating Australia from the tournament.
In this pivotal match, Afghanistan needed to defeat Bangladesh to progress, and they succeeded by dismissing them for 105 runs, achieving the necessary win. This victory ensures Afghanistan's first-ever World Cup semi-final appearance, where they will face South Africa in Trinidad on Thursday.
The match had its tense moments, with Afghanistan posting a modest total of 115/5, as intermittent showers threatened to alter the match dynamics. However, Afghanistan's skipper Rashid Khan led a resilient bowling performance, claiming 4-23, while Naveen-ul-Haq supported with 4-26, sealing the victory.
Meanwhile, India had earlier defeated Australia by 24 runs in St Lucia, which left Australia’s qualification hopes in jeopardy. India, already securing the top spot in Group 1, will now face the title holders, England, in the second semi-final in Guyana on Thursday.
OUT! It's all over! Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 8 runs (DLS) to enter semi-finals. Australia knocked out of the tournament
Naveen-ul-Haq trapped Mustafizur Rahman leg before wicket for a golden duck. Afghanistan are celebrating as they entered the semi-final of the T20 World Cup for the first time. They finished second in Group 1 and will face Group 2 winners South Africa in the knock-out stage.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: They are back again. Rain has stopped. BAN 105/9 in 17.4 overs, need 9 off 8 balls
What drama! Players are going off again. Covers are coming in. Afghanistan are ahead by 3 runs in DRS par score at this stage
OUT! Naveen-ul-Haq cleans up Taskin Ahmed for 2 | BAN 105/9 in 17.4 overs, need 9 off 8 balls
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DROPPED! Naveen-ul-Haq drops a tough chance on his follow through. Litton Das survives. | BAN 105/8 in 17.3 overs
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 102/8 after 17 overs, need 12 more off 12 balls
It's going to the wires. Gulbadin Naib with another tidy one, just four runs off it. Bangladesh now need 12 off 12 to sign off from the campaign with a win. Australian fans must be tense at the moment.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 98/8 after 16 overs, need 16 more off 18 balls
0 4 0 0 0 0 - Wow! What a way to complete his spell for Noor Ahmad - a four and a big shout for LBW. Litton Das (50*) survived on umpires decision. Noor's final figures: 4-0-13-0. TIDY!
FOUR! Fifty for Litton Das off 41 balls | BAN 98/8 in 15.2 overs
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 94/8 after 15 overs, need 20 more off 24 balls
Excellent over at this stage of the contest from Gulbadin Naib, who came into the attack for the first time. A wicket and just three runs off it including a leg bye. With Litton Das in the middle, Bangladesh are still in the hunt. Afghanistan need two more wickets to enter the semi-finals.
OUT! Gulbadin Naib strikes to dismiss Tanzim Hasan (3) | BAN 92/8 in 14.2 overs
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 91/7 after 14 overs, need 23 more off 30 balls
Another tidy one from spinner Noor Ahmad, just three runs off it. Afghanistan need wickets to win this match. Bangladesh only need 23 more in the next five overs to win it.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 88/7 after 13 overs, need 26 more off 36 balls
1 2 1 1 1 0 - Rashid Khan completed his spell with a decent one - six runs off it. But no wickets for Afghanistan skipper. His final figures: 4-0-23-4. Bangladesh are now out of semi-final contention. So, only Afghanistan and Australia are left vying for the last spot in the last four.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 82/7 after 12 overs, need 32 more off 42 balls
Good one at this stage from Noor Ahmad, just two singles off it.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Match Updates!
The revised target for Bangladesh are now 114 in 19 overs, so they need 33 more off 44 balls
AFG vs BAN Live Score: We are back again. BAN 81/7 in 11.4 overs, need 35 more off 50 balls
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Good News! Rain has stopped. Covers are coming off
Oh No! Rain has arrived again. Covers are coming in. Looks like a drizzle and not a downpour. Afghanistan ahead in DRS par score | BAN 81/7 in 11.4 overs
AFG vs BAN Live Score: OUT! Two in two for Rashid Khan, cleans up Rishad Hossain for a golden duck | Bangladesh 80/7 after 11 overs | Target - 116
1 1 0 1 W W - Rashid Khan is not giving it away as yet. What a bowler, and what a player. Back-to-back wickets and just three singles off it. Afghanistan are back in the contention now. They need three wickets to enter the semis.
OUT! Rashid Khan strikes again, dismisses Mahmudullah (6) | BAN 80/6 in 10.5 overs
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 77/5 after 10 overs | Target - 116
Drinks Break! Excellent start to his spell for Noor Ahmad too. Just four runs off it. The scenarios are very tricky now. Bangladesh need 39 off 60 to win the match, but need to chase it down in the next 13 balls to qualify for the semis. Afghanistan need the win to advance. And Australia are waiting for the result to move ahead. A Bangladesh win after 12.1 overs will take Australia to the semi-finals.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: BOOM! Bangladesh 73/5 after 9 overs | Target - 116
L1 W 1 0 4 4 - Rashid Khan started with a wicket, but Litton Das smashed back-to-back fours to keep bangladesh in the hunt. What a game we are having today. 10 runs and a wicket in it. Bangladesh only need 43 more to win in 11 overs.
OUT! Rashid Khan strikes again, dismisses Towhid Hridoy (14) | BAN 64/5 in 8.2 overs
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 63/4 after 8 overs | Target - 116
0 0 2 4 4 2 - What a dramatic over. And Bangladesh benefitted by some misfielding to score 13 runs off Mohammad Nabi. The fine leg fielder dropped a tough chance before Hridoy got a four in the same area in the next delivery. Hridoy then hit another four in the next ball to make it a big one.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 51/4 after 7 overs | Target - 116
A successful start to his spell for Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan - a wicket and just five runs off it. Soumya Sarkar was castled by Rashid to put more pressure on Bangladesh batting.
OUT! Rashid Khan strikes in his first over, cleans up Soumya Sarkar for 10 | BAN 48/4 in 6.3 overs
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 46/3 after 6 overs | Target - 116
End of Powerplay! Excellent over from veteran Mohammad Nabi, gave away just three singles in it. Afghanistan still need wickets as the asking rate is just 5 per over for Bangladesh.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 43/3 after 5 overs | Target - 116
A decent one for Bangladesh. Litton Das hit a four and collected seven runs off Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq. Afghanistan need wickets to put pressure on the Bangladesh line-up as the target is not that high.
FOUR! Litton Das smashes a four off Naveen-ul-Haq | BAN 40/3 in 4.3 overs
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 36/3 after 4 overs | Target - 116
12 RUNS! Big one for Bangladesh. Fazalhaq Farooqi leaked 12 runs in it. Bangladesh are ahead of the DRS par score and also on course of the race to achieve the target in 12.1 overs. So, all possibilities are open in the contest.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Welcome Back again!
Bangladesh 31/3 in 3.2 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi will complete his over.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Match Updates!
Since no overs are lost. The scenarios remain the same. Afghanistan need to win to qualify for the semis. Bangladesh have to chase down the target in 12.1 overs to advance, otherwise Australia go through to the knockout stage.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Match Updates!
Good News! The match is starting again at 9:13 am IST. No overs lost. Ground staff and drainage system in St Vincent are working wonders.
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Weather Updates!
Strong wind has pushed away the rain. It has stopped completely. Again, lots of water on the covers. Ground staff are starting what they do the best. If rain doesn't make another visit, we will have a restart soo. Drainage system is very good here.
Oh No! Rain has arrived again. Players are going off and covers are coming in | BAN 31/3 in 3.2 overs
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 24/3 after 3 overs | Target - 116
L1 4 0 W W 1 - What a comeback from Naveen-ul-Haq, after conceding 13 runs in the first over. back-to-back wickets and just six runs off it. The pacer has brought back Afghanistan in the contest. It's 50-50 in the middle at the moment.
OUT! Caught & Bowled! Two in two for Naveen-ul-Haq, Shakib Al Hasan gone for a golden duck | BAN 23/3 in 2.5 overs
OUT! Naveen-ul-Haq strikes to dismiss Najmul Hossain Shanto (5) | BAN 23/2 in 2.4 overs
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 18/1 after 2 overs | Target - 116
Good one for Afghanistan. Fazalhaq Farooqi started his spell with a successful over, dismissing Tanzid Hasan for a three-ball duck. Bangladesh went for a review but lost it. A wicket and just five runs off it.
OUT! Fazalhaq Farooqi strikes in his first over, dismisses Tanzid Hasan for a duck | BAN 16/1 in 1.3 overs
AFG vs BAN Live Score: Bangladesh 13/0 after 1 over | Target - 116
1 0 L1 4 6 B1 - What a start for Bangladesh. Litton Das smoked Naveen-ul-Haq for a four, followed by a big six to score 13 runs off the first over. Bangladesh have to chase the target in 12.1 overs to qualify for the semis, and they are on now. Afghanistan keeper Gurbaz is taken off the field with some pain after he was hit on the knee by a bad bounce behind the stumps.