Afghanistan edges Bangladesh in a rain-hit thriller to reach the semifinals.
In a rain-interrupted, nail-biting contest in St Vincent, Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by eight runs to enter the semifinals of the ongoing T20 World Cup for the first time.
Bowling first, Afghanistan managed a below-par 115/7 riding on Rashid Khan’s quickfire 19 off nine balls. However, their bowlers bundled out Bangladesh for 107.
Chasing an adjusted target of 114 in 19 overs per the revised DLS par score, Bangladesh slipped to 23/3 early courtesy of Naveen-ul-Haq’s double strike. The left-arm pacer ended with figures of 4/26.
Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan also fell cheaply. But Litton Das’ unbeaten 54 kept Bangladesh in the hunt.
However, rain interruptions increased pressure on the Tigers’ chase. With 12 needed off the last over with two wickets in hand, Naveen dismissed Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman on successive balls to seal a stunning eight-run win.
Earlier, Bangladesh bowlers had restricted Afghanistan to a below-par score. Seamer Taskin Ahmed, left-arm spinner Shakib, and pacer Mustafizur kept things tight.
But Rashid’s quickfire 19 lifted the total. His impressive figures of 4/23 then helped derail Bangladesh’s chase.
Afghanistan’s maiden entry into the semifinals completes a remarkable turnaround in their cricket fortunes.
