Afghanistan’s cricket team continues to make waves at the T20 World Cup 2024 after a historic victory over Bangladesh, securing their place in the next stage of the tournament. The Blue Tigers, who recently ousted 2023 ODI world champion Australia, maintained their winning streak with an exhilarating 8-run triumph over Bangladesh in a Super-8 match that captivated fans worldwide.
The match, which unfolded with Afghanistan opting to bat after winning the toss, initially saw a slow start as Tanzim Hasan and Taskin Ahmed’s bowling posed challenges for the Afghan openers. Despite a cautious approach, Afghanistan managed only 27 runs in the powerplay, enduring 39 deliveries without a boundary. However, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Usman Ibrahim steadied the innings with a partnership exceeding 50 runs, marking their fourth significant stand in this World Cup.
Gurbaz’s dismissal in the 11th over prompted a struggle for acceleration, but Rashid Khan’s late contributions pushed Afghanistan’s total to 115. Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain emerged as a formidable force with the ball, claiming 3 wickets in 4 overs at an economy rate of 6.50.
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In response, Bangladesh faced a challenging chase under better batting conditions. However, Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq, made significant breakthroughs early on. Rashid Khan further bolstered their attack, dismantling Bangladesh’s middle order with a brilliant 4-wicket haul. Despite a resilient effort from Litton Das, who top-scored for Bangladesh, they fell short by 8 runs.
Naveen-ul-Haq’s exceptional bowling performance earned him the well-deserved title of man of the match for his crucial 4-wicket haul.
The victory against Bangladesh solidifies Afghanistan’s stature in the tournament, proving their ability to defeat formidable opponents and dispelling any notion of their wins being mere upsets. Celebratory reactions, including a viral video featuring Afghanistan’s bowling consultant Dwayne Bravo, have underscored the team’s growing influence and spirit on the global cricket stage.
As Afghanistan advances, cricket enthusiasts await their next challenge in the T20 World Cup with eager anticipation.