It was a momentous day for Afghanistan cricket as they defeated Bangladesh in a decisive Super 8 match at Arnos Vale in St. Vincent to advance to their first-ever World Cup semi-final. Afghanistan has had many trying circumstances in their nation; going from what they faced daily to providing their country something to celebrate is a remarkable accomplishment.
The triumph over Australia proved to be a delightful kind of retaliation following their heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup. Afghanistan qualified for the semi-finals as the last team from the Super 8 stage, thanks to their wins over Australia and Bangladesh.
Afghanistan has emerged as a global power in white-ball cricket, which is not surprising given that not so long ago the nation was having difficulty making an impression on the sport and that it was losing to so many elite nations. The bowling team bowled out of their skin to defend a below-average total of 114 against Bangladesh, even if their batting did not live up to the occasion.
The game came down to the wire, and Afghanistan's genius was ultimately needed to win on a dramatic finish. Although Gulbadin Naib's acting was on display that day, it was undoubtedly one of the most dramatic World Cup games ever.
Having said that, let's examine the five most thrilling games in Men's T20 World Cup history:
Pakistan had controlled the match up until the final three overs and appeared certain to make it to the championship, but Mike Hussey's explosive stroke play in the final three overs proved to be the difference between Pakistan and Australia's surprising triumph. Pakistan had a highly competitive total of 191, and for a while, it appeared as if they would easily defend it after incredible half-centuries from the Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umar.
But the match appeared lost as Australia was reduced to 144/7 in the eighteenth over. Never one to give up, Mike Hussey took on Saeed Ajmal with the utmost ease. Hussey went crazy, hitting three sixes and a four to get Australia across the finish line with one delivery left. Eighteen runs were needed from the last over.
Oh NEPAL What Have you done Guys. Why the batsman stuttered and didn’t dive. What a heartbreak. South Africa beat Nepal by just 1 run. They couldn’t chase 21 of 24 wd 7 wkts in hands and then 3 of 2 ?
— Waqar Ahmed Afridi (@RealWaqarAfridi) June 15, 2024
Superb Last over by the cool and calm OTTNEIL BAARTMAN. SHAMSI too bowled… pic.twitter.com/7JB5BudApT
This clash may surprise those who don't follow cricket too much, but the Asian underdogs Nepal almost upset a rising South African squad—who are now the only team in the T20 World Cup to have won every match. After winning their group with four straight games, the Proteas advanced to the Super 8, but Nepal—who were only participating in their second T20 World Cup—posed a serious threat. South Africa battled mightily in their last group match against Nepal, only managing to cobble together a subpar 115 in the permitted 20 overs.
Up until the 14th over, Nepal appeared to be in control thanks to a crucial partnership between Aasif Sheikh and Anil Sah, who continued to elude the South African bowlers. They were able to reenter the game with a few furious punches, but the Proteas had all the necessary experience to rally forcefully and win by one run in the end.
One of the greatest games in the history of the 20-over format may have been played in this match. In the 2016 edition, West Indies defeated England in the final to win their second T20 World Cup thanks to an amazing and savage attack by Carlos Braithwaite.
Thanks to an outstanding fifty-five from Joe Root and a good twenty overs from Jos Buttler, England scored over a competitive 155 in the allocated 20 overs. The English bowlers performed superbly for the first 19 overs, but when the last over came down to 19 runs needed, Ben Stokes let up four straight sixes in the first four deliveries of the over, which allowed the Windies to win historically.
Virat Kohli vs Pakistan since 2012:
— Momtahan Karim (@Karimmomtahan) October 14, 2023
- 183* Asia Cup 2012
- 78* T20 World Cup 2012
- 107* ODI WC 2015
- 55* T20 WC 2016
- 81* Champions Trophy 2017
- 77* ODI WC 2019
- 57* T20 WC 2021
- 60* Aisa Cup 2022
- 82* T20 WC 2022
- 122* Asia cup 2023
The Greatest ever.
#indvspak2023… pic.twitter.com/UxvmZ24V7x
Virat Kohli, the modern-day chase maestro, treated us to a masterclass during India's opening 2022 T20 World Cup match against bitter rivals Pakistan. The former Indian skipper put together a heroic combination with Hardik Pandya, eventually leading India across the finish line in the last over. India appeared to be in control at the midway point after restricting Pakistan to a below-average total of 159 with to outstanding performances from Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya. But from the first over, the Pakistani bowlers were on fire, bringing India down to 31/4 in the seventh over.
Although Kohli and Pandya had a fantastic combination, the equation became extremely difficult with 28 needed off 8 deliveries, and it appeared like India would lose the match. That's when Kohli reduced the equation in the last over by hitting back-to-back sixes against Haris Rauf.
The penultimate over's waist height no ball drama and the free shot that went for three runs even after Kohli was out proved that India was supposed to win this day. On the penultimate ball, Ravichandran Ashwin failed to win a wide after taking the final pitch over mid-off.
I love how Indians have been hyped for Afghanistan's team from day one of the World Cup, like it's their own. Such unwavering support only strengthens the bond between Afghanistan and India ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/xZ3lyrG36B
— Habib Khan (@HabibKhanT) June 25, 2024
After defeating Australia in their last Super Eight match, the Afghans needed to defeat Bangladesh to secure a spot in their first-ever World Cup semifinal. After winning the toss, Rashid Khan decided to bat first on the challenging Arnos Vale surface, where they had just defeated Australia. When Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, the two Afghan openers, attempted to take on the Bangladesh bowlers, the circumstances had already gotten rather challenging. Even though they were ultimately limited to a below-average score of 115, Bangladesh knew that this would not be an easy task.
After a quick start by Litton Das, Fazalhaq Farooqi took the lead. Bangladesh continued to lose wickets regularly, but the Afghan bowlers were able to remain composed at crucial moments in the game despite the rain interfering at various points. After Afghanistan won by eight runs, Naveen-ul-Haq claimed the last two wickets to lead his team to their first-ever semi-final appearance.
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