Afghanistan creates history, defeats Bangladesh to qualify for T20 WC semis

Kingstown: Afghanistan trounced Bangladesh by eight runs in the final Super Eight match of the 2018 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, riding high on an all-around performance by captain Rashid Khan. With the victory, Afghanistan advanced to the semifinals and eliminated Australia from the competition.

For the first time ever, Afghanistan has advanced to the T20 World Cup semifinals. Earlier, Afghanistan scored 115 for 5 in their 20 overs thanks to Rashid Khan's 10-ball 19, which included three sixes in the last over of the innings.

Afghanistan chose to bat first and got off to a slow and cautious start, with openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran failing to repeat their heroics against Australia in the powerplay. Gurbaz, though, continued to lead his squad in runs scored with 43 off of 55 balls, Indian Express reported.

Australians who missed the action will remain anonymous as the Afghans have eliminated them from the T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan performed a modern-day fairytale on India's renowned 1983 World Cup anniversary, and they will back themselves to defeat South Africa in the semifinals. Afghanistan debuted on the international scene in the 2010 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Afghanistan quickly rose to prominence in the world of cricket, with players arriving from Pakistani refugee camps and tall fast bowlers donning war paint to create dramatic celebrations

Afghanistan will take on South Africa in the semifinals on June 27.

After the Afghans opted to bat on winning the toss, Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with a 55-ball 43 but Rishab Hossain (3/26) snapped three wickets to restrict Afghanistan to 115 for 5.

In reply, Litton Das scored an unbeaten 49-ball 54 but couldn't take the team home.

Brief scores: Afghanistan: 115 for 5 in 20 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 43; Rishab Hossain 3/26).

Bangladesh: 105 all out in 17.5 overs (Litton Das 54 not out; Rashid Khan 4/23).