Afghanistan stunned heavyweights Australia by 21 runs in their Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup in Kingstown on Sunday.
Afghanistan rode on openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (60) and Ibrahim Zadran's (51) half-centuries to post 148 for 6. All rounder Gulabdin Naib then produced his career-best figures of 4/20 to bowl out Australia for 127 in 19.2 overs.
With the win, Afghanistan kept themselves in contention of a semifinals spot. They are placed third on the T20 World Cup Super 8 Group 1 points table with two points in two matches. The only thing separating them from second-placed Australia is the Net Run Rate.
A clinical India all but clinched a semi-final berth in the T20 World Cup after a comfortable 50-run win against Bangladesh in a Super 8 match in Antigua on Saturday.
Riding on a half-century from vice-captain Hardik Pandya (50 off 27 balls) and useful knocks from Virat Kohli (37), Rishabh Pant (36) and Shivam Dube (34), India posted 196 for 5, the highest T20I total at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium.
In reply, Bangladesh were all at sea against Kuldeep Yadav's (3/19 in 4 overs) left-arm wrist spin as they managed only 146 for 8 in the end.
India will meet their match in Australia in their final Super 8 fixture in St Lucia on Monday. India with two wins in two games are on top of the Group 1 points table.
In Group 2, South Africa are at the top of the points table after a win against England on Friday. Quinton de Kock made a coruscating fifty and bowlers responded bravely to the challenge of defending a sub-par total as South Africa thwarted a late England surge to eke out a tight seven-run win.
England had done well to keep South Africa to 163/6 in spite of De Kock's 38-ball 65, but lost their way despite a spirited fightback from Harry Brook (53) and Liam Livingstone (33). They eventually finished at 156 for six.
West Indies are second on the Group 2 points table after their victory against the United States of America on Saturday. Opener Shai Hope blasted an unbeaten 82 as West Indies came back roaring to crush the USA by nine wickets in Barbados.
After bowling out the USA for a mere 128 in 19.5 overs, the West Indies batters went all guns blazing from the word go to knock off the target in 10.5 overs to make 130/1, recording a comfortable win.
The Caribbean side, which had suffered an eight-wicket hammering from England on Wednesday has the highest net run rate (1.814) in Group 2. Skipper Aaron Jones led USA team has lost both its Super 8 fixtures.
T20 World Cup 2024 Points Table All Groups
Super 8 Group 1 | Matches Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
India | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2.425 |
Australia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.223 |
Afghanistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -0.650 |
Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -2.489 |
Super 8 Group 2 | Matches Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Africa | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0.625 |
West Indies | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.814 |
England | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.412 |
USA | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -2.908 |
T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Remaining Fixtures
Group A
June 24: Australia vs India, 8 pm IST, Gros Islet, St Lucia
June 25: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, 6 am IST, Kingston, St Vincent
Group B
June 23: United States vs England, 8 pm IST, Bridgetown, Barbados
June 24: West Indies vs South Africa, 6 am IST, North Sound, Antigua
The semi-finals will be played in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana on 26 and 27 June, respectively. The final of the T20 World Cup 2024 will be played on June 29 in Barbados.
(With PTI inputs)