Afghanistan Beat Tigers, Reach Semis First Time In T20 World Cup

Afghanistan made history in St. Vincent, defeating Bangladesh by eight runs in a low-scoring thriller in the final Super Eight match to reach the semifinals of the ICC T20 World Cup for the very first time. In a match where the fate of three teams -- Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Australia -- were on the line, the Afghans have come out on top, defending a mere 114-run target in 19 overs after multiple rain interruptions and have marched into the final four of a major ICC event for the very first time.

Litton Das, with a best of 36 before Monday, stayed through it all, but couldn’t take Bangladesh over the line with his first fifty of the tournament. The Bangladesh opener played superbly to finish unbeaten on 54 as his side were bowled out for 105. The second highest score of 14 runs came from the bat of Towhid Hridoy.

Mahmudullah, who came at No.7, after making six off eight balls, saw him get caught behind off Rashid and the very next ball Rishad Hossain was bowled, attempting a slog sweep.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said, "We bowled really well, as a bowling unit we did a lot of good things but as a batting group we made some bad decisions, especially in the middle overs and that cost us today.

"The plan was for the first three wickets to go hard, then to bat normally. The middle order didn't execute the plan so that was our main issue today."

Afghanistan will now face South Africa in the first semifinal on June 27. Both these teams have never played a final of a World Cup.