Explained: How can Afghanistan qualify for Super 8 of ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Afghanistan have started their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with two big wins.

If their wins over Pakistan and England in the World Cup 2023 were something to go by, then Afghanistan’s bumper victories over Uganda and New Zealand in their first two ICC T20 World Cup 2024 matches shouldn’t be a surprise at all.

The Rashid Khan-led side have sent out a strong message to the other teams to not take them lightly anymore, not least in the T20 format and especially on the pitches in the West Indies.

After 14 matches in the competition, out of all the teams, it is Afghanistan who have laid the strongest claim to enter the Super 8 round.

The Asian side, which some are hailing as the second-best team in their continent, started their T20 World Cup 2024 with a massive win by 125 runs against Uganda. But that was really an expected victory for Rashid’s side.

However, it was their win by 84 runs against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in Guyana on Friday night that has not only put Afghanistan in the vicinity of the Super 8 stage, but it will also give them confidence from hereon should they be in a position to push for a semi-final berth later in the tournament.

Have Afghanistan reached the Super 8 stage?

Since Afghanistan have a healthy net run rate of +5.225 after their first two wins, and their next two matches being against West Indies and Papua New Guinea, Rashid Khan’s side is placed in a very strong position to reach Super 8.

A win over either WI or PNG will seal their Super 8 spot. And even if they lose their next two games, given their fantastic NRR, Afghanistan is likely to enter the next round of the tournament.

Skipper Rashid Khan hailed their win over New Zealand as “one of the greatest performances from us”. Chasing 160, the Kiwis were bundled out for only 75 runs.

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