Afghanistan scored 115/5 in 20 overs, where as Bangladesh scored 105 in 17.5 overs.
So, finally Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 8 runs (DLS Method).
Two days after beating Australia, Afghanistan went one step further with an incredible win over Bangladesh to advance to the semifinals of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Once India beat Australia in the morning game, the requirement was clear: a win would take Afghanistan through ahead of the 2021 champions.
However, Bangladesh posed a significant challenge with a commendable bowling performance, restricting Afghanistan to 115/5 in 20 overs.
Despite the slightly improved conditions with rain spells and Litton Das showing batting resolve, Rashid Khan (4 for 23) and Naveen Ul Haq (4 for 26) combined to secure Afghanistan’s place in the last four.
Where the game was won:
Bangladesh would’ve comfortably crossed the line if not for their collapse in the middle overs.
In contrast, Afghanistan managed to lose only one wicket during this phase, maintaining stability despite a slow start.
The middle-overs difference:
| Parameters | Afghanistan | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 53/1 | 48/5 |
| 4s/6s | 5 and 1 | 6 |
| Run Rate | 5.89 | 5.34 |
Afghanistan
Power Play: Slow start in tough conditions
Phase score – 27/0 [RR: 4.50, 4s/6s: 3/0]
In challenging batting conditions, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran made a watchful start after Rashid Khan won the toss and decided to bat.
Tanzim Hasan and Taskin Ahmed extracted steep bounce to trouble the Afghan duo in the early overs.
In the third over from Tanzim, a short ball flew over Litton Das’s reach behind the stumps for four byes before Ibrahim drove a length ball through covers.
Shakib Al Hasan, introduced in the fifth over, nearly struck immediately, but Towhid Hridoy dropped a catch at short cover, giving Ibrahim a reprieve.
Only one more four was hit in the Power Play as Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths.
Middle-overs: Gurbaz pushes but Bangladesh continue to restrict Afghanistan
Phase score – 53/1 [RR: 5.89, 4s/6s: 5/1]
While the scoring rate improved slightly, the ball continued to skid, making it difficult for the batters.
Gurbaz and Ibrahim extended their partnership past 50 runs for the fourth time in this World Cup (including two 100-plus stands), but Afghanistan faced a period where they failed to hit a boundary for 39 deliveries.
Gurbaz attempted to break the scoring drought by stepping down against Shakib and hitting a six straight down the ground.
However, dot balls accumulated due to exceptional bowling.
Bangladesh’s standout bowler, Rishad Hossain, made the breakthrough by having Ibrahim caught at long-off with an acrobatic catch by Tanzim.
Taskin then bowled a maiden over to Gurbaz, before the latter unleashed in the 14th over against Rishad, adding 13 runs.
Shakib concluded the middle overs with an excellent spell of 0 for 19 in 4 overs.
Death overs: Wickets, Rashid, and rain
Phase score – 35/4 [RR: 7.00, 4s/6s: 2/3]
Afghanistan faltered at the start of the death overs as wickets fell rapidly.
Azmatullah Omarzai edged a Mustafizur delivery behind to Litton, with Bangladesh successfully overturning the on-field decision via review.
Rishad then struck twice, first tempting Gurbaz into a mistimed shot and then dismissing Gulbadin Naib similarly.
Soumya Sarkar took both catches at deep point, the second involving a perfectly timed sprint and dive.
Rishad finished with figures of 3 for 26, while Mustafizur ended with 1 for 12.
Rashid Khan swung his bat towards the end, helping Afghanistan cross the 100-run mark, ending on 115, including a six off the final ball.
Bangladesh bowled 66 dot balls, keeping their semifinal hopes alive.
Players rushed indoors as heavy rain briefly interrupted play.
Bangladesh
Power Play: Bangladesh start well despite losing three
Phase score – 46/3 [RR: 7.67, 4s/6s: 4/1]
Following the rain break, Bangladesh openers found the ball coming onto the bat nicely, with Litton Das taking advantage in the first over from Naveen Ul Haq.
However, Fazalhaq Farooqi swung the ball to trap Tanzid Hasan leg before in the second over.
Naveen then struck twice in his second over, dismissing Najmul Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan off consecutive deliveries.
Najmul misjudged a slower ball and holed out to deep square leg, while Shakib edged to Naveen on the first ball he faced.
Another rain delay interrupted play in the fourth over.
After a 30-minute break, Litton and Soumya Sarkar resumed, even as Mohammad Nabi bowled a tight over for just three singles.
Middle-overs: Rashid triggers dramatic collapse
Phase score – 48/5 [RR: 5.34, 4s/6s: 6/0]
Rashid Khan bowled Soumya Sarkar with a skiddy arm ball, triggering Bangladesh’s collapse in the middle overs.
Despite some nervy fielding moments, Rashid continued to make inroads.
He got Towhid Hridoy to hole out to deep square leg in his second over, reducing Bangladesh to 64 for 5.
Rashid’s third consecutive over saw him dismiss Mahmudullah after a successful review for a faint edge.
Rishad Hossain was next, missing a slog sweep on his first ball, giving Rashid his fourth wicket.
Another brief rain break reduced the chase to 19 overs, with Bangladesh needing 114.
Gulbadin Naib then dismissed Tanzim, leaving Afghanistan two wickets from the semifinals.
Death-overs: Naveen Ul Haq denies Litton to take Afghanistan through
Litton Das, having watched Bangladesh collapse from the other end, continued to fight, bringing up a half-century in the 16th over with a sweep shot.
Despite Litton’s resistance, Afghanistan hunted for the last two wickets.
Taskin Ahmed supported Litton, gradually reducing the target.
With 9 runs needed from 9 balls, Naveen bowled Taskin.
More rain showers added to the tension, with Bangladesh trailing on the DLS method.
Play resumed, and Mustafizur Rahman had to survive the last ball of the 19th over to give Litton a chance to chase in the 20th.
However, Naveen trapped Mustafizur leg before, sparking wild celebrations as Afghanistan advanced to the semifinals.
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