AFGHANISTAN SLAMMED FOR 'UNACCEPTABLE' TACTIC AS AUSTRALIA CRASH OUT OF T20 WORLD CUP

Afghanistan's miraculous win over Bangladesh has been shrouded in a storm of controversy.

The Afghans beat Bangladesh by eight runs on Tuesday morning to book their place in the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup. It is the first time they have reached that stage of the competition in their history.

In the process they knocked out giants Australia, with South Africa, India and England instead joining Afghanistan in the final four. Tuesday's match was full of rain delays and questionable tactics.

One incident caused more controversy than others though. It came with rain closing in during the match, with Afghan coach Jonathan Trott signalling for his side to slow their pace down.

After losing to India by 24 runs, Australia needed Bangladesh to defeat Afghanistan, but not by more than 45 balls to spare, to progress to the last four.

In response Gulbadin Naib, fielding at first slip, fell down clutching his hamstring, claiming to be injured. If play had not been able to continue then Afghanistan would have gone through to the final four.

As it was play did back underway, though Afghanistan were able to hold on to win via the Duckworth-Lewis method. The incident involving Naib caused fury though, with commentator Simon Doull hitting out at the Afghan star.

He said: "Oh no no no, sorry. You can't have this. I'm not accepting that. Even Rashid (Khan) doesn't like it. It's just delay tactics. I get it but I don't like that at all. It is unacceptable. They might have gone off anyway for the rain but that's not a good look."

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Naib did actually go off to receive treatment but soon returned to the field. He then came back on and later took over as bowler, taking a wicket before sprinting around to celebrate.

Captain Rashid Khan took four wickets for 23 runs to lead his side to a famous win, with Naveen-ul-Haq taking four for 26. Those wickets came after Bangladesh opener Litton Das had threatened to end Afghanistan's dream, hitting an unbeaten 54 as his side chased a revised target of 114.

But they were only able reach reach a total of 105, sending Afghanistan through at both theirs and Australia's expense. The win left captain Khan delighted as he hailed his side for reaching the semis.

"It's unbelievable. Back home everyone is so, so happy for us. It's like a dream for us to be in a semi-final. We had to push ourselves for the people back home, for their happiness and to make the country proud," Khan said.

"It is a massive celebration back home now, I'm sure. It is a big achievement for us. I'm so happy with the way we have delivered as a team. We have to go in [to the semi-final] with a very clear mind, keep things simple for ourselves and make sure we enjoy it."

Naveen added: "We have worked so hard over the last few years, we were working for this day. When you see this day coming and it happens, it's surreal. I'm lost for words."

2024-06-25T10:04:32Z dg43tfdfdgfd