Afghanistan has secured their first-ever spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after defeating Bangladesh in a do-or-die, nail-biting encounter at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent on Monday (June 24).

The win propels Afghanistan into the semi-finals ahead of tournament favourites Australia who lost to India this morning, knocking them out of the competition.

Afghanistan posted a modest total of 115 for 5 in their 20 overs, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scoring with 43 runs off 55 balls. Bangladesh’s Rishad was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 26 runs.

Similar to last night’s West Indies vs South Africa match in Group 2, even with the low target, the match turned into a rollercoaster due to intermittent rain delaying the game and becoming a factor.

Bangladesh, needing 116 runs to win, started cautiously but lost wickets at regular intervals. Opening batsman Litton Das fought valiantly, remaining unbeaten with 54 runs off 49 balls, but found little support from his teammates.

Afghanistan’s bowling attack, led by captain Rashid Khan (4-23) and Naveen-ul-Haq (4-26), delivered a stellar performance under pressure. Both bowlers claimed four wickets each, ensuring Bangladesh were all out for 105 in 17.5 overs.

The match, after accounting for the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method (DLS) method, saw Afghanistan emerge victorious by eight runs and secured their maiden entry into the T20 World Cup semi-finals as the runners-up in Super 8s Group 1.

In this World Cup three of the top five wicket-takers are part of the AFG bowling lineup, Fazalhaq Farooqi who is currently tied with the all-time record of 16 wickets, Team Captain Rashid Khan in third with 14 wickets and Naveen-ul-Haq in fifth with 13 wickets.

The team also feature two of the three top scores in the tournament with opening batsmen Rahmanullah Gurbaz posting 281 runs so far in first and Ibrahim Zadran with 229 in third.

Afghanistan plays their semi-final match against South Africa at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, the home ground of legendary West Indies T20 death bowler and AFG Bowling Consultant Dwayne Bravo.