Afghanistan Overcome Bangladesh in Tense T20 World Cup Clash
On November 15th, 2024, Afghanistan secured a crucial eight-run victory over Bangladesh in a high-stakes T20 World Cup match at Chester-le-Street. The win ensured Afghanistan’s progression to the semi-finals of the tournament, at the expense of their opponents.
Needing a win to qualify, Afghanistan had just taken Bangladesh’s sixth and seventh wickets in the 11th over when the incident occurred. As Bangladesh fell just behind the DLS par score, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott appeared to signal his players to slow the game down, with rain in the air.
Shortly after, Afghanistan allrounder Gulbadin Naib went down with an apparent cramp while fielding at first slip. As Naib received treatment and left the field, accompanied by his teammate Naveen-ul-Haq and a member of the support staff, light rain began to fall, and the pitch was covered.
“The rain was out of our control, and our sole focus was on bowling out Bangladesh and reaching the semi-finals.”
- Rashid Khan, Afghanistan Captain
Despite the interruption, play resumed within minutes, with one over reduced from Bangladesh’s chase and the DLS target revised to 114. Naib eventually returned to the field in the 13th over and later took the crucial wicket of Tanzim Hasan in the 15th over.
When questioned about the incident after the game, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan played down any suggestions of time-wasting, stating that the rain was out of their control and that their sole focus was on bowling out Bangladesh and reaching the semi-finals.
While time-wasting is a punishable offence in cricket, it did not ultimately impact the result, as Afghanistan held on to secure the victory and progress to the next stage of the T20 World Cup.
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