Afghanistan Knocked out Australia’s Hopes of Semi Finals
3 min read
There will be more shocks at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Following Afghanistan’s historic victory against Bangladesh in Tuesday’s decisive Super Eight match in Kingstown, Australia, the 2021 champions, has been eliminated. Few people gave Afghanistan a chance after they ended their innings at 115/5, but they accomplished the unimaginable by winning by a slim eight-run DLS margin and forcing Australia to return home. This was made possible by some fierce bowling.
The formula was easy to understand. Australia and Afghanistan were tied for the fewest points going into the match, while India had already qualified and led the group with six points. Australia needed Bangladesh to defeat Afghanistan, albeit not by a wide margin, in order for them to advance. When Bangladesh was simply out, they had to chase down 116 in 12.1 overs or less (12.4 if they hit a six to tie the score). Anything above 12.1 overs would have guaranteed Australia’s qualification.
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A Nerve cracking Win for Afghanistan
Bangladesh had to play out the remainder of the innings cautiously after being knocked out for 23/2 early on. Bangladesh reached the 12.1 over margin well short of the required number of runs, meaning their prospects of qualifying were gone. The matchup came down to Australia vs. Afghanistan, a one-way shootout for a spot in the semifinals. In the event that Afghanistan prevailed, Australia would be eliminated. Australia would have a chance to win a second T20 World Cup if Bangladesh prevailed in the match.
Bangladesh frequently lost wickets, but Litton Das’ fifty off just 41 balls kept their hopes alive. Rain forced as many as four interventions throughout the play; in the last over, Bangladesh needed to score 114 runs in 19 overs due to DLS. And with Litton holding one end up, they were well on their way.
But then arrived the moment that all fans of Afghanistan had been waiting for. Naveen-Ul-Haq delivered an innings to remember, first forcing Taskin Ahmed to play on and then trapping Mustafizur Rahman out LBW for a first-ball duck. With nine runs still to win off nine balls, Afghanistan advanced to their first-ever T20 World Cup quarterfinals and defeated Australia.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 🇦🇫
— ICC (@ICC) June 25, 2024
Afghanistan are through to the #T20WorldCup 2024 semi-final 👏 pic.twitter.com/wugQg90R0I
Australia Out of Semi-Finals
India will breathe a sigh of relief at the outcome. When it comes to World Cup knockouts, Australia has always caused India pain, whether it was in the 2003 ODI World Cup final or the more recent 2023 WC final. India has also triumphed against Australia twice, defeating the formidable Aussies in the World T20 Cup quarterfinals in 2016 and the 2007 semifinals. However, now that Australia is out of India’s way, the wound from November 19 which has been causing pain to many Indian supporters even after eight months will start to mend a little.
After a shocking loss to Afghanistan two days prior, Australia’s suffering was made clear by the Men in Blue yesterday night. With a 92-run assault spearheaded by Rohit Sharma, India defeated Australia by 24 runs to alleviate some of the suffering. After hitting 76 off 43 balls in the 2023 World Cup and the World Test Championship final, Travis Head, India’s opponent in their last two ICC finals, appeared to be doing it again. However, Jasprit Bumrah came back with his magic to take the important wicket and lead his side to victory.
