"This is what progress is" Fans go wild as Afghanistan advance to semi-finals of ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with 8-run win over Bangladesh

Published at :June 25, 2024 at 11:26 AM

Modified at :June 25, 2024 at 11:27 AM

Afghanistan defeated Australia and Bangladesh in the Super 8 round.

Afghanistan created history as they entered their first-ever semi-finals of a major ICC tournament after beating Bangladesh in St Vincent. The Rashid Khan-led unit qualified for the knockout round of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 following their victory by eight runs over Bangladesh (DLS method), and knocked out Australia from the tournament.

In the semi-final 1, they will meet the table-toppers of Group 2, South Africa, in Trinidad. The second semi-final will be between India and England in Guyana.

Rashid’s team had suffered a blip in their campaign when they lost their last match of the group stage to West Indies and their first match of the Super 8 round to India. However, they bounced back admirably to thump Australia by 21 runs. With Australia losing to India as well, the Afghans needed to record a victory over Bangladesh to seal their semi-final spot.

The victory came in a hard-fought fashion in a low-scoring thriller. Batting first, Afghanistan posted 115 in 20 overs with opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scoring with 43 on a slow pitch.

In the chase, Bangladesh opener Liton Das held his end and batted through the innings to remain not out on 54. However, he didn’t get support from the other end; no other Bangladeshi batter managed to score more than 14 runs. Rashid ran through the Bangladeshi middle-order with four wickets. Naveen-ul-Haq also took four wickets – two in the powerplay and two in the last over.

Registering their first-ever win over Australia and entering their first-ever semi-finals of a major ICC tournament – this is the most memorable period in Afghanistan’s cricket history. And the fans celebrated with them on Twitter.

Netizens went wild as Afghanistan upstaged Bangladesh to enter the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024:

Wow, Afghanistan. What an effort. Beating New Zealand, beating Australia and making the semi- finals of a World Cup. This is what progress is. Congratulations
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 25, 2024

Congratulations to the Afghanistan cricket team on reaching the semi-finals! Your hard work, dedication, and remarkable performances have inspired fans around the world. You've shown that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible. Best of luck 4 the semi-final. keep…
— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) June 25, 2024

Amazing effort from @ACBofficials ,Congratulations @rashidkhan_19 @MohammadNabi007 @iamnajibzadran lalagaano 🙌🏽Now good luck for the Semi 👍🏽#T20worldcup #Worldcup2024
— Fawad Ahmed (@FawadAhmed52) June 25, 2024

It didn’t come easy for Afghanistan! #T20WORLDCUP But history for Rashid Khan led team and Afghanistan cricket. A semi-final awaits @ACBofficials … #AFGvBAN
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) June 25, 2024

Probably the best Afghanistan v Bangladesh match I’ve seenAfghanistan win and into #T20WorldCup semis 🏏 Aussies are out pic.twitter.com/12E3bQLKFS
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) June 25, 2024

What a match. What a moment for Afghanistan 🎢https://t.co/FFDjHdlmOz #T20WorldCup #AFGvBAN pic.twitter.com/xOcPGmjog7
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 25, 2024

I have never been a part of a game like that…I actually have no idea where I start or where I finish. 🤯😱🫣
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) June 25, 2024

Absolute Drama! Afghanistan have come a long way and what a performance under pressure from them👏👏👏Be scared @prasannalara because Tarouba spins 👏😂
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 25, 2024

At 3400m height, watched #afghanistan making history! Missed many action due to very slow data but tweet notifications from @ashwinravi99 and @ESPNcricinfo were helping us enjoy this drama! #AFGvsBan pic.twitter.com/FEVmpoSejg
— Rajkumar M, IFS (@rajkumar_ifs) June 25, 2024

Congratulations, Afghanistan 🇦🇫Also, Gulbadin Naib is running the fastest 😂 pic.twitter.com/OPk8CWJuxX
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) June 25, 2024

THE HISTORIC MOMENT. 🏆– THE STORY OF THE AGES, AFGHANISTAN INTO THE SEMIS…!!! pic.twitter.com/IotTPHGrEz
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 25, 2024

𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 – 𝐀𝐅𝐆𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐌 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐄𝐒!!! 🙌#AfghanAtalan have successfully defended their total and have won the game by 8 runs (DLS) to make it to the Semi-Finals of the #T20WorldCup for the 1st time in their history. 👊🤩#AFGvBAN pic.twitter.com/isn1j9zub9
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 25, 2024

#AFGvsBANAfghanistan won against Bangladesh entering the semifinal, Australia out of WC 🤣 pic.twitter.com/fLDpgsp9Od
— theboysthing_ (@Theboysthing) June 25, 2024

Afghanistan in semifinalsAustralia out of World CupIndian and Afghani fans: pic.twitter.com/ZPXZnJSqYn
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) June 25, 2024

Congratulations Afghanistan on making it to the semifinals. This is a nation surviving on the joy of this sport. A historic moment in the sports world, not just cricket.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) June 25, 2024

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket for IPL 2024 Live Score & IPL Points Table, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.