The T20 World Cup clash between Afghanistan vs Bangladesh on June 25, 2024, at the Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent was a nail-biting encounter, filled with drama and excitement from start to finish. Both teams were vying for a spot in the semi-finals, with Afghanistan having a clearer path – win and they were in. For Bangladesh, it wasn’t just about winning; they needed to win convincingly to boost their net run rate and surpass Australia.
Key Highlights | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
- Toss and Decision: Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first.
- Inning 1 (Afghanistan): Despite a challenging pitch, Afghanistan managed to score 115 runs. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with 43 runs, while Rashid Khan contributed a crucial 10-ball 19-run cameo.
- Inning 2 (Bangladesh): Litton Das fought valiantly, carrying the bat to the end with a battling half-century. However, Rashid Khan’s four-wicket haul inspired Afghanistan to victory.
- Player of the Match: Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan) took 4 wickets for 26 runs in 3.5 overs.
- Australia’s Exit: Australia’s hopes rested on a Bangladesh win, but Afghanistan’s triumph sent the reigning ODI World Champions packing from the tournament.
Teams and Line-Ups
Bangladesh: Litton Das (WK), Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar (in for Jaker Ali), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed (in for Mahedi Hasan), Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman.
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (C), Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Afghanistan retained the same XI that defeated Australia, while Bangladesh made two changes following their loss to India.
Match in Brief | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
The Toss
Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan won the toss and chose to bat first. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted he would have preferred to bowl first, so both teams ended up content with the outcome of the toss.
First Innings: Afghanistan’s Struggle
The match started with a hint of drama as Rahmanullah Gurbaz nearly ran himself out on the very first ball. This early scare set the tone for a tense and competitive innings. Gurbaz and his opening partner Ibrahim Zadran focused on preserving their wickets, but Bangladesh’s bowlers made scoring difficult, restricting Afghanistan to just 27/0 after the first six overs.
Gurbaz and Zadran eventually brought up another 50-run partnership in the ninth over, setting a record as the first pair to achieve four 50-run stands in the tournament’s history. Despite their efforts, Afghanistan found it tough to accelerate, reaching 58/0 at the halfway mark.
The breakthrough for Bangladesh came immediately after the drinks break when Zadran (18 off 29) was caught attempting a big shot. This dismissal triggered a collapse, with Afghanistan struggling to build momentum. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (43 off 55), who had been the mainstay of the innings, fell shortly after Azmatullah Omarzai, reducing Afghanistan to 99/5 with two overs remaining.
Rashid Khan played a crucial cameo, hitting three sixes to push the total to 115/5. His aggressive approach helped Afghanistan post a somewhat competitive score, although it seemed below par given the pitch conditions.
Rain Interruptions
As rain started to pour in St. Vincent, the players and fans were left waiting anxiously. After a brief delay, play resumed with Bangladesh needing to chase down 116 runs for victory.
Second Innings: Bangladesh’s Chase
Bangladesh began their chase confidently, scoring 13 runs off the first over. However, Fazalhaq Farooqi soon removed Tanzid Hasan for a duck, and Naveen-ul-Haq followed up with two crucial wickets in the third over, including the captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Rain interruptions continued to disrupt the match, with a significant pause coming in the fourth over. When play resumed, Bangladesh had to complete their innings within 12.1 overs to surpass Australia on net run rate and qualify for the semi-finals.
Towhid Hridoy played a few aggressive shots to swing the momentum back in Bangladesh’s favor, but Rashid Khan struck again to dismiss him, leaving the match finely poised.
Litton Das and Mahmudullah tried to stabilize the innings, but Rashid Khan’s magical spell saw him take back-to-back wickets in the 11th over, including Mahmudullah. Khan’s figures of 4/23 off his four overs were instrumental in keeping Afghanistan in the contest.
Final Overs Drama
As the rain returned, Afghanistan moved ahead of the DLS par score, only for Bangladesh to edge back in front after the resumption of play. With 20 runs needed off the last four overs, Litton Das reached a well-deserved fifty and aimed to guide Bangladesh home.
However, the match took another dramatic turn when Taskin Ahmed was bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq, leaving Bangladesh at 109/9 with just one wicket in hand. Mustafizur Rahman came to the crease, needing to survive the last eight balls to secure a win for Bangladesh.
Naveen-ul-Haq delivered a perfect yorker, trapping Mustafizur LBW and sparking wild celebrations among the Afghan players. Afghanistan had pulled off a thrilling victory, winning by six runs and securing their spot in the semi-finals, while Bangladesh and Australia were left disappointed.
Key Performances and Stats | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
Afghanistan:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 43 off 55 balls
- Rashid Khan: 23 runs off 4 balls, 4 wickets for 23 runs
- Naveen-ul-Haq: 3 wickets for 29 runs
Bangladesh:
- Litton Das: 50* off 41 balls
- Dominik Livaković: Key saves and tight bowling
Post-Match Reactions
Rashid Khan, Afghanistan Captain: “We knew we had to fight till the last ball. The rain interruptions made it tough, but our bowlers were fantastic, especially Naveen and myself. This victory is a testament to our team spirit and determination. We’re excited about the semi-finals.”
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh Captain: “It’s a heartbreaking loss. We had moments where we thought we had the game in our grasp, but credit to Afghanistan for holding their nerve. We’ll need to reflect and come back stronger.”
Looking Ahead | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
Afghanistan’s thrilling win against Bangladesh sets them up for an exciting semi-final clash. Their performance throughout the tournament, especially under pressure, has shown their growth and potential in T20 cricket.
For Bangladesh, the loss means they need to reassess their strategies and address their inconsistencies. Despite the disappointment, their journey in the tournament had moments of brilliance, and they will look to build on these in future competitions.
The Afghanistan vs Bangladesh match will be remembered as one of the most thrilling encounters of the T20 World Cup 2024, showcasing the unpredictable and exciting nature of T20 cricket. As the tournament progresses, fans will eagerly anticipate more such dramatic and closely-fought contests.
