NEW DELHI: Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan on Wednesday took to social media to address his supporters before the highly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup 2024 semifinal match against South Africa. The game, which will be held on Thursday at Tarouba in Trinidad and Tobago, presents a significant opportunity for Afghanistan to make history by reaching the final of a Cricket World Cup in either of the white-ball formats.
Afghanistan's journey to the semi-finals of the World Cup has been an extraordinary and heartwarming narrative for a team that has been steadily improving in this format for quite some time. They have faced and overcome challenges posed by top-ranked teams such as New Zealand and multiple-time world champions Australia during their impressive campaign.
As they prepare to face South Africa, the Afghan team is determined to seize this moment and create a new chapter in their cricketing history.
1/8:T20 World Cup: Afghanistan into semi-finals, Australia out
AP
2/8:Historic Semi-Final Entry for Afghanistan
Afghanistan advanced to their first-ever senior world tournament semi-final with a nerve-jangling eight-run victory over Bangladesh at the T20 World Cup on Tuesday that eliminated mighty Australia.AP
3/8:Nerve-Jangling Victory
Amid excruciating tension, captain Rashid Khan and seamer Naveen ul Haq were the heroes as Afghanistan battled through three rain stoppages to secure a famous victory.AP
4/8:Heroic Performances
Defending a modest total of 115/5, Rashid finished with figures of 4-23 while Naveen took 4-26 as Bangladesh were dismissed for 105, chasing a revised target of 114 off 19 overs.AP
5/8:Litton Das' innings
An unbeaten 54 from Bangladesh opener Litton Das (49 balls, five fours, one six) threatened to deny Afghanistan's fairytale win and earn Australia the last semi-final spot.AP
6/8:Man of the Match Naveen-ul-Haq
But pacer Naveen claimed the last two wickets - Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman - off consecutive deliveries to trigger delirious Afghan celebrations and leave a disconsolate Das stranded.AP
7/8:Elimination of Australia
With India defeating Australia and advancing to the second semi-final against England, this result assured the Afghans of second spot in the group and eliminated the Aussies and Bangladeshis.IANS
8/8:Semi-Final Clash
Afghanistan will now face South Africa in the first semi-final in Trinidad on Thursday.AFPThe match promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair, with both teams eager to secure a place in the final.
Afghanistan Cricket Board's social media handle posted Rashid's video message and wrote: "The skipper Rashid Khan calls on the #AfghanAtalan's fans to support the team as they prepare to play their first-ever #T20WorldCup Semi-Final, starting tomorrow morning in Trinidad".
WATCH:
Afghanistan's road to semifinals:
vs Uganda: Won by 125 runs
vs New Zealand: Won by 84 runs
vs Papua New Guinea: Won by 7 wickets
vs West Indies: Lost by 104 runs
vs India: Lost by 47 runs
vs Australia: Won by 21 runs
vs Bangladesh: Won by 8 runs (Match reduced to 19 Ovs due to rain, DLS Target 114)
