Afghanistan reach World Cup semis and knock Australia out

Afghanistan reached a first ever World Cup semi-final courtesy of a dramatic eight-run victory over Bangladesh which in turn knocked Australia out of the T20 tournament.

Bangladesh came into the game with a chance to progress or send Australia through with a victory but – chasing a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern revised target of 114 in 19 overs as rain affected their innings – were bowled out for 105.

Captain Rashid Khan (4-23) and Naveen-ul-Haq (4-26) each took four wickets in the victory that secures Afghanistan a historic first World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Trinidad on Wednesday evening.

Score summary – Afghanistan vs Bangladesh

Afghanistan 115-5 from 20 overs: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (43 off 55 balls), Rashid Khan (19no off 10); Rishad Hossain (3-26)

Bangladesh 105 all out from 17.5 overs: Litton Das (54no off 49); Rashid Khan (4-23), Naveen-ul-Haq (4-26)

Afghanistan’s hopes were earlier dented when restricted to a modest 115-5 batting first, Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scoring, but using up 55 deliveries to reach 43.

Rishad Hossain (3-26) ultimately dismissed the opener Afghanistan suffered a dramatic collapse from 84-1 to 93-5 in the space of 11 balls, before Rashid later blasted three sixes in his 10-ball 19.

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In the final over, the Afghanistan skipper was so desperate for late runs that he hurled his bat at his batting partner Karim Janat in fury when refused a second run.

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Final Group 2 standings in the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup as India and Afghanistan progress through to the semi-finals

Needing to chased down their target inside 12.1 overs in order to seal a semi-final spot themselves, Bangladesh came up well short in their rain-affected reply.

Litton Das struck an unbeaten 54 from 49, but wickets regularly tumbled at the other end, including two in two balls for Rashid in the 11th over that reduced the Tigers to 80-7.

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Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan (left) and Gulbadin Naib celebrate after clinching at T20 World Cup semi-final spot

Naveen then wrapped up the innings and the semi-final-clinching victory with his own double-strike with back-to-back deliveries in the penultimate over, prompting tearful celebrations from the Afghanistan players.

India, who beat Australia by 24 runs earlier on Monday in St Lucia to leave the qualification hopes of the 2021 champions hanging by a thread, will take on holders England in the second semi-final.

What’s next?

Afghanistan face South Africa in the first semi-final in Trinidad (Thursday, 1.30am UK and Ireland), with the Proteas having topped Group 2 of the Super 8s ahead of England.

India took top spot in Group 1 and in doing so set up a Thursday date with England in Guyana (3.30pm).

There is no reserve day available for the second semi-final between England and India – although an extra 250 minutes is available on the scheduled day – so if the game cannot be completed due to weather India will advance by virtue of topping their Super 8s pool.

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