Afghanistan’s fairytale journey at the T20 World Cup 2024 continued as their potent bowling attack, spearheaded by the brilliance of Rashid Khan and Naveen Ul Haq, propelled them to a dramatic semi-final berth. Chasing a modest target of 114 set by Afghanistan, Bangladesh fell agonizingly short, crumbling to 105 all out. The victory, secured by a mere 8 runs, sent shockwaves through the cricketing world and etched Afghanistan’s name in the history books of the tournament.
The architects of this famous win were the two Afghan pace bowlers. Rashid Khan, the world’s renowned leg-spinner, lived up to his reputation, weaving his web of deception and bamboozling the Bangladeshi batsmen. His figures of 4/15 were a masterclass in control and variation. Not to be outdone, his pace bowling partner, Naveen Ul Haq, complemented Khan’s guile with raw pace and accuracy. Ul Haq ripped through the middle order, taking a crucial 4/24 and extinguishing any hopes Bangladesh harbored of a successful chase.
Earlier, Afghanistan’s batting display was a stuttering affair. They could only manage 115/5 in their allotted 20 overs, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s knock of 43 runs providing some much-needed impetus. However, it was their bowling that stole the show, dismantling a shaky Bangladeshi batting line-up with clinical precision.
This victory marks a watershed moment for Afghan cricket. Having never reached the World Cup semi-finals before, they have defied expectations and announced themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. The spin wizardry of Rashid Khan and the express pace of Naveen Ul Haq have been at the heart of their success, and their names will be forever etched in the memory of Afghan cricket fans.
Now, they prepare for an even bigger challenge: the World Cup semi-final. The entire nation will be behind them as they dream of continuing their extraordinary journey and etching their names even deeper into cricketing folklore.
