Sports Desk:

Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by 8 runs in the DLS method and went to the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time. Afghanistan post 115-5 in their 20 overs against Bangladesh in their Super Eights match at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Saint Vincent.

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.”

But in this match Bangladesh had a great potential. Bangladesh needed only 115 runs in 12.1 overs to win the match. Although Tanzim was dismissed early in the batting, Litton’s positive batting did not let the hopes of victory go far out of reach. But after Nazmul Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah’s poor batting perfomaces have troubled Bangladesh. After watching the playing of the experienced players, it seems that the equation of the semi-final is in the head of some of the players and not in the head of some. The regret of missing this opportunity will haunt Bangladesh for a long time.

But today is Afghanistan’s day. They did not give up even with 115 runs. They fought to the end. They also got the award for that.

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan: “It’s something like a dream for us as a team to be in a semi-final. It’s all about how we have started the tournament and the belief we got.

“It’s unbelievable. Back home everyone is so, so happy for us being in the semi-finals.

“I think the only guy who had us in the semis [before the tournament] was Brian Lara. We’re so proud and I’m so proud of this team.”