Cricket

Afghanistan's historic triumph in the T20 World Cup has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Led by the enigmatic Rashid Khan, the Afghan team has defied all odds to reach the semi-finals for the first time ever.Their thrilling victory over Bangladesh in the final Super 8s match was a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite the rain-affected second innings, Afghanistan's bowlers, spearheaded by Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq, defended the modest target of 115 with aplomb.Khan's role in Afghanistan's success cannot be overstated. Not only did he bamboozle Australian batters with his deceptive deliveries, but he also engaged in some light-hearted banter with Indian captain Rohit Sharma. After both teams advanced to the semi-finals, Khan took to social media to share a photo with Sharma, playfully referring to him as "My friend from Mumbai."Afghanistan's journey to the semi-finals has been nothing short of remarkable. They stunned T20I giants New Zealand and Australia in the group stage, showcasing their ability to compete with the best in the world.Their victory over Bangladesh not only secured their place in the last four but also eliminated Australia from the tournament. The Aussies, who were considered one of the favorites, were left to rue their missed opportunities.Afghanistan's success is a testament to the growing strength of cricket in non-traditional nations. Their performance has inspired countless young players around the world and has proven that anything is possible with hard work and determination.As they prepare for the semi-finals, Afghanistan will be buoyed by the support of their passionate fans. They will face a formidable opponent in either India or England, but they have shown that they are capable of overcoming any challenge.

Afghanistan's charismatic captain, Rashid Khan, has faced disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a breach of the code of conduct during their Super Eight match against Bangladesh in Kingstown on July 24.The incident occurred in the 20th over of Afghanistan's innings. Rashid, after hitting the ball into the offside, attempted to secure the second run to retain strike. However, his teammate, Karim Janat, sent him back. An enraged Rashid was forced to turn around mid-pitch and hurled his bat in Janat's direction.As a consequence, Rashid has received a demerit point on his disciplinary record. This is his first offense within a 24-month period. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of a reprimand and a maximum penalty of a 50% fine of a player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points.Despite the incident, Rashid played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's eight-run victory over Bangladesh via the DLS method. He scored a quickfire 19 off 10 balls and claimed impressive figures of 4 for 23, leading his team to their first-ever semi-final appearance at a T20 World Cup.Afghanistan will now face South Africa in Trinidad on June 26 for a place in the final. Rashid's leadership and all-round abilities will be crucial as they aim to create history and reach the pinnacle of the tournament.

South Africa and Afghanistan Set for Thrilling Semi-Final Clash in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024The highly anticipated Semi-Final 1 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 will witness a captivating encounter between South Africa and Afghanistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago.South Africa, fresh off a thrilling three-wicket victory over West Indies, will be eager to continue their impressive run in the tournament. Their top fantasy performer, Tabraiz Shamsi, with 85 fantasy points, will be a key player to watch.Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence after their eight-run victory over Bangladesh. Rashid Khan, who amassed 157 fantasy points in their previous match, will be the one to lead their charge.Pitch Report and Weather ConditionsThe pitch at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy is known for its balance, with an average 1st innings score of 117 runs in the last 20 matches. The team winning the toss may opt to bowl first, as the majority of games played on this ground have been won by the chasing side.The weather forecast predicts a temperature of around 23.56 degrees Celsius, with high humidity and winds at a speed of 1.89 m/s.Head-to-HeadIn the two previous encounters between these teams, South Africa has emerged victorious on both occasions. Protea wicket-keepers have been the most prolific fantasy point earners for their team, while all-rounders have been the top performers for Afghanistan.Fantasy Top Captain and Vice-Captain PicksFazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan): With an average of 61 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 9.3, Farooqi is a valuable asset for any fantasy team. His impressive economy rate of 6.38 and 16 wickets in the last seven matches make him a formidable choice.Quinton de Kock (South Africa): De Kock, with an average of 48 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 7.8, is a reliable fantasy pick. His left-handed batting prowess and strike rate of 148.50 in the recent seven matches make him a potential game-changer.Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan): Naveen-ul-Haq, with an average of 60 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 9, is a consistent performer. His 13 wickets in the last seven matches at an economy rate of 6.12 make him a valuable bowling option.Tristan Stubbs (South Africa): Stubbs, with an average of 41 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 7.7, is an explosive batter. His 134 runs in the recent seven matches at an average of 33.50 make him a potential match-winner.Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): Khan, with an average of 75 match fantasy points and a fantasy rating of 8.2, is a spin wizard. His 14 wickets in the last seven matches at an economy rate of 6.10 make him a must-have for any fantasy team.SA vs AFG Possible Playing XIsSouth Africa (SA): Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Marco JansenAfghanistan (AFG): Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Nangeyalia Kharote, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad NabiSA vs AFG Fantasy TeamWicket-Keeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Quinton de KockBatters: Ibrahim Zadran, Tristan StubbsAll-Rounders: Marco Jansen, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad NabiBowlers: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Rashid Khan, Keshav MaharajCaptain: Fazalhaq FarooqiVice-Captain: Quinton de Kock

Australia's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign came to an abrupt end after Afghanistan's thrilling victory over Bangladesh in their final Super 8 match. The Mitchell Marsh-led side had earlier suffered a shocking loss to Afghanistan, followed by a defeat to India, effectively eliminating them from the tournament.India's 24-run victory over Australia was a significant moment for their fans, who celebrated it as a form of "revenge" for their loss in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad. During the match, Australia's ODI captain Pat Cummins faced sledging from a fan as he walked back to the pavilion after his dismissal. The incident was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.In the match between India and Australia, Rohit Sharma played a crucial role, scoring a brilliant 92 to guide India to a formidable total of 205 for 5. Travis Head was once again Australia's top scorer, but Arshdeep Singh's three wickets and Kuldeep Yadav's two wickets proved decisive in India's victory.After the match, Rohit Sharma expressed his satisfaction with India's performance. "We know the opposition and the threat they bring. As a team, we did well, kept doing the things we needed to do. Gives us good confidence as a team," he said.Rohit also praised Kuldeep Yadav's contribution, saying, "We know the strength he has, but we need to use him when necessary. In New York, there were seamer-friendly wickets."With Australia's elimination, India and Afghanistan have secured their places in the semi-finals. India will face England in the first semi-final, while Afghanistan will take on the winner of the match between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Afghanistan's lack of historical baggage gives them an edge over South Africa in the T20 World Cup semi-final, believes coach Jonathan Trott.Afghanistan, making their first-ever appearance in the last four of any World Cup, stand in stark contrast to South Africa, who have a long history of near misses and disappointments in major tournaments.Trott believes that Afghanistan's lack of past scars makes them a dangerous and unpredictable opponent. "We go into the semi-final with no scarring or no history with regards to semi-finals. This is uncharted territory for us," Trott said.He added that the Afghan team has no "preconceived ideas on it all, or history of failure or success in semi-finals in past years." This lack of historical burden is perceived as a significant advantage.According to Trott, this position frees the team to approach the game with nothing to lose, contrasting with the high pressure on South Africa.South Africa has had the upper hand in their meetings with Afghanistan in T20Is, with victories in their two past matches in the 2010 T20 World Cup in Barbados and in Mumbai six years later.However, South Africa's path through the current World Cup has not been without drama. Despite winning all seven of their games, they have faced near-embarrassments against the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Their Super Eights victory over defending champions England by a narrow seven-run margin also added to their tense moments.On the other side, Afghanistan's journey included a defeat by India but was followed by a landmark victory over Australia and a tight eight-run win against Bangladesh that secured their semi-final spot.Trott described the experience of leading Afghanistan to the semi-finals as "surreal." He has developed a strong bond with the team since taking over as coach in July 2022. This relationship was evident when, after the rain-affected win against Bangladesh, Trott was carried off the field on his players' shoulders."When I took over, I was astounded by the talent that I saw," Trott said. He acknowledged the raw talent within the team and has aimed to add structure without limiting the players' natural abilities."I've just tried to add here and there. At no stage have I tried to clip anybody's wings. I'm just trying to make the bow of the arrow even stronger so that they can go for longer, win more games, and shoot for the stars even further away," Trott remarked.As the semi-final approaches, Trott's approach and the team's fresh mindset leave Afghanistan positioned as a formidable contender against the more historically burdened South Africa.

Bangladesh's T20 World Cup semi-final hopes were dashed after a disappointing chase against Afghanistan in Kingstown. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto revealed that the team initially aimed to win within 12.1 overs to qualify for the semi-finals but abandoned the plan after losing three early wickets.Despite restricting Afghanistan to 115 for 5, Bangladesh's chase faltered with a slow start, losing three wickets in the first three overs. Shanto admitted that the middle-order failed to make sound decisions, leading to their eventual defeat.Former captain Mashrafe Mortaza criticized Bangladesh's lack of clarity and urgency, stating that the team should have focused solely on winning within 12.1 overs. He emphasized that the opportunity to make history was missed due to poor decision-making.Bangladesh's tactical blunder of holding back Towhid Hridoy, their most consistent batter, to No. 6 also proved costly. Shanto explained that the team aimed for a left-right combination, but the move backfired.Shanto acknowledged that Bangladesh's net run rate situation could have been better if they had shown more urgency in their previous match against India. He expressed regret for the team's performance and apologized to the fans for letting them down.

Afghanistan's historic triumph in the T20 World Cup has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. After securing their first-ever semifinal berth, skipper Rashid Khan expressed immense pride in fulfilling the prophecy of West Indian legend Brian Lara.Lara had boldly predicted Afghanistan's semifinal appearance nearly a month before the tournament, and Khan acknowledged the team's determination to prove him right. "When we met him at a welcome party, I told him we won't let you down," Khan said.The team's confidence soared after their stunning victory over New Zealand in the group stage. "It's a dream for us to be in the semifinals," Khan exclaimed. "The way we started the tournament, the belief came when we beat New Zealand. It's unbelievable."Afghanistan's historic run continued with a memorable victory over Australia, setting the stage for their final Super 8 clash against Bangladesh. Despite a rain-interrupted match, Afghanistan emerged victorious by eight runs, securing their semifinal spot.Khan praised the exceptional performances of pacers Naveen and Fazalhaq Farooqi, who have consistently provided strong starts with the new ball. "In T20s if you get a good start, it helps us in the middle overs," Khan said. "They have given great starts to us in the whole competition."Despite the challenges posed by rain interruptions, Khan emphasized the team's mental fortitude. "Rain is something not in our hands but mentally we knew we have to play 20 overs and take 10 wickets," he said.As Afghanistan prepares for their semifinal clash with South Africa on June 27, Khan anticipates widespread celebrations back home. "It's a big achievement for us as well," he said. "We have done that at U-19 level but at this World Cup, I don't have any words to describe the feeling back home."

The T20 World Cup 2024 has reached its thrilling semi-final stage, with four teams vying for the coveted title. After a nail-biting Super Eight phase, South Africa, Afghanistan, India, and England have emerged as the semi-finalists.In the first semi-final, Group 2 winners South Africa will face Afghanistan, who stunned Australia in a dramatic finish. The match will take place at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on June 26 at 8.30pm local time.The second semi-final will pit Group 1 leaders India against England. This match will be held at Guyana's Providence Stadium on June 27 at 10.30am local time. India was pre-assigned the second semi-final in Guyana, regardless of their Super Eight performance.The playing conditions for the semi-finals differ. The second semi-final between India and England will not have a reserve day due to the short gap between the match and the final. However, both semi-finals have 250 minutes of additional time available. The first semi-final will have 60 minutes of extra time on the day of the match and 190 minutes on the reserve day, starting at 2pm local time. The second semi-final will have the entire 250 minutes available on the scheduled day.To constitute a complete game in the semi-finals and final, both teams must bat a minimum of 10 overs per innings, unlike the five overs per innings rule in the rest of the tournament. This is crucial considering the possibility of rain at both venues. In case of a washout, the team that finished higher in their respective Super Eight groups (India and South Africa) will advance. If the final is abandoned due to weather, the two finalists will be declared joint winners.

Gulbadin Naib's apparent bout of cramp during Afghanistan's crucial Super Eight match against Bangladesh in St Vincent raised eyebrows among television commentators. The incident occurred at a pivotal moment in the game, with Afghanistan needing a victory to qualify for the T20 World Cup semi-finals at Australia's expense.After taking Bangladesh's sixth and seventh wickets in the 11th over, Afghanistan appeared to be in control. However, as Bangladesh approached the DLS par score, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott was seen signaling to his players with rain threatening.Between the third and fourth deliveries of the 12th over, Naib, fielding at first slip, suddenly clutched the back of his leg and collapsed to the ground. He remained motionless, requiring treatment and assistance from teammate Naveen-ul-Haq and a support staff member. As Naib was helped off the field, drizzle began to fall, and the pitch was covered.The interruption was brief, but when play resumed, Bangladesh's chase was reduced by one over, and the DLS target was revised to 114. Najibullah Zadran replaced Naib as a substitute, with Naib eventually returning to the field in the 13th over.Naib's absence raised questions about potential time-wasting tactics, as time-wasting by either the batting or bowling side is a punishable offense. However, Naib's return to the field and his subsequent bowling of the 15th over, in which he dismissed Tanzim Hasan, seemed to dispel any suspicions.The incident highlighted the intense pressure and scrutiny that players face in high-stakes matches. With Afghanistan's World Cup hopes on the line, Naib's apparent cramp raised concerns about the team's ability to maintain focus and composure under pressure.