Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan, left, and teammate Gulbadin Naib celebrate after defeating Bangladesh by eight runs in their men’s T20 World Cup cricket match at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Afghanistan edged past former champions Australia to qualify for the knockouts. They beat Bangladesh in a low-scoring Super Eight clash to seal their berth. Batting first, Afghanistan produced only 115 runs on a sluggish surface in St Vincent.
The date– June 25, 2024 – will remain wrapped in gold in the history of Afghanistan cricket. A team, which made its debut in the T20 World Cup only 14 years back, now finds itself in the semi-final of the mega competition. Led by Rashid Khan, Afghanistan edged past former champions Australia to qualify for the knockouts. They beat Bangladesh in a low-scoring Super Eight clash to seal their berth. Batting first, Afghanistan produced only 115 runs on a sluggish surface in St Vincent. With Rashid leading from the front, the Afghan bowling unit bundled out Bangladesh for 105 runs to claim an eight-run win (as per the DLS method) in the rain-affected game.
Aus used to invite Ind once every 10 years; Eng used to get Ind Tests out of the way in early part of the season. Same boards now lay out the red carpet for Ind. Same thing is going to happen with Afg. Cricket world will have to give Afg the respect they deserve. #AFGvBAN #T20WC pic.twitter.com/MaZLHSXvvL— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 25, 2024
After Afghanistan achieved the historic feat, many fans and former cricketers congratulated them on social media. Legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag seems quite enthralled by the progress of Afghanistan cricket.
“Wow, Afghanistan. What an effort. Beating New Zealand, beating Australia and making the semi-finals of a World Cup. This is what progress is. Congratulations,” Sehwag wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Wow, Afghanistan. What an effort.Beating New Zealand, beating Australia and making the semi- finals of a World Cup. This is what progress is. Congratulations— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 25, 2024
Sports presenter Ridhima Pathak shared her excitement, highlighting the “champion mentality” of the Afghan players. “Afghanistan win. Inject this. What champion mentality. What a bowling effort. That belief. That sheer will to win this game,” Pathak posted.
Afghanistan win. Inject thissssssssssssss. What champion mentality. What a bowling effort. That belief. That sheer will to win this game.#AFGvsBAN#BANvsAFG— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) June 25, 2024
Commentator Andrew Leonard hailed the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh match as “one of the great games of cricket of all time.”
“It’s a first World Cup semi-final for them and you can’t help but argue they deserve every bit of it!! Outstanding scenes and drama,” Leonard wrote.
One of the great games of cricket of all time, it has it ALL and Afghanistan make history.It’s a first World Cup semi-final for them and you can’t help but argue they deserve every bit of it!! Outstanding scenes and drama.#T20WorldCup
— Andrew Leonard (@CricketBadge) June 25, 2024
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised the Afghanistan side for giving their best in a pressure situation. “Absolute Drama! Afghanistan have come a long way and what a performance under pressure from them,” Ashwin shared on X.
Absolute Drama!Afghanistan have come a long way and what a performance under pressure from them
Be scared @prasannalara because Tarouba spins
— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) June 25, 2024
A user dropped a video on X where the people of Afghanistan could be seen dancing on the streets to celebrate the historic accomplishment in world cricket.
People on the streets of Afghanistan are celebrating the historic cricket victory that secures Afghanistan’s place in the World Cup semifinals pic.twitter.com/yYS62gN0Yx— Habib Khan (@HabibKhanT) June 25, 2024
Here are some other reactions:
Afghanistan registered three victories in the group stage including a dominant 84-run win over New Zealand. They kicked off the Super Eight round with a loss to India. Afghanistan came roaring back in the next assignment and upset Australia in a low-scoring game to stay alive in the semi-final race. After India beat Australia in St Lucia, Rashid Khan and his men just needed to defeat Bangladesh in the last Super Eight match to qualify for the next round. Afghanistan will clash against South Africa in the first semi-final on June 27.
Key: Afghanistan, T20 World Cup 2024, Afghanistan in T20 World Cup semi-finals, Super Eight, Afghanistan beat Bangladesh, Twitter reactions, Fan reactions, Virender Sehwag, Ravi Ashwin reacts, Afghanistan creates history