Afghanistan seal T20 World Cup semi-final berth

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan created history on Tuesday when they stormed into the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024 after beating Bangladesh by eight runs in their last Super Eight clash at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent.

Days after their morale-boosting triumph over Australia, Afghanistan won the toss, elected to bat first and set Bangladesh a modest target of 115 runs in the rain-affected encounter.

The opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran fell to leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who took three for 26, according to the BBC.

Bangladesh had to chase down the target in 12.1 overs to turn the net run-rate in their favour, but Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed captain Najmul Hossian Shanto and veteran Shakib al Hasan on successive balls.

Skipper Rashid Khan captured four scalps to keep Afghanistan in the match, before right-arm Naveen took Bangladesh’s final two wickets.

Eventually, it was Afghanistan who emerged triumphant with skipper Khan and Haq taking four wickets each to secure a magnificent win by just eight runs.

sa/mud