ARNOS VALE: Afghanistan advanced to their first-ever T20 World Cup semi-final following completing a dramatic eight-run win over Bangladesh in a rain-affected match at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent on Monday.
Defending a modest total of 115 runs for five on a bowler-friendly situation, Afghan skipper Rashid Khan belied around three rain stoppages, a slippery ball and a revised target of 114 off 19 overs to take four for 23 as Bangladesh, were dismissed for 105 off 17.5 overs.
An unbeaten 54 from opener Litton Das was threatening to take Bangladesh to win and earn Australia the last semi-final position on net run-rate. Bu Naveen ul Haq took the last two wickets – Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman – off consecutive balls in the penultimate over of the encounter to trigger delirious Afghan celebrations.
With India defeating Australia earlier in the day and advancing to the second semi-final against England on Thursday, this result also assured the Afghans of second position in the group and eliminated the Australia together with the Bangladeshis. Afghanistan will now face South Africans in the first semi-final in Trinidad on Wednesday.
Match Results
Afghanistan 115/5
Bangladesh (17.5/19 ov, T:114) 105
Afghanistan won by 8 runs (DLS)
