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‘It is just the beginning for us’, says Rashid Khan after T20 World Cup semi against South Africa

The Afghanistan Cricket Board sent out a heartfelt message to Rashid Khan after the match and said in a post on social media: “Chin up, Skipp! You’ve given us the World this event!”

Published

5 days ago

June 27, 2024

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

Afghanistan’s skipper Rashid Khan said on Thursday following their ICC T20 World Cup match against South Africa that it had been a tough game for the team, and that the team slipped in the batting department.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rashid said: “It was a tough match for us. We might have done a little better than that, but the conditions didn’t allow us to do what we want.

“You have to be mentally ready for any conditions, but the way they bowled was exceptional. We just couldn’t bat well.”

However, he paid tribute to his fast bowlers, and said they had really come into their own.

“The way they stood up for us [the fast bowlers] throughout the tournament is why we had success.

“The way Naveen and Fazal bowled, that made our job as a spinning unit easier in the middle.

“Overall, we are quite happy with the way we managed ourselves in pressure situations. That was very pleasing.

“Beating big teams is very special for us. It is just the beginning for us.

“We now have the belief that we can beat any side on the day.

“We learned a lot of things, and the next time the belief will be there, and much better than this.”

Afghanistan, who looked like they could do no wrong throughout this tournament, finally came undone in their semi-final match against South Africa.

But it had been a thrilling tournament for the team, who had until now never reached a semi-final stage in any ICC event.

On Thursday, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Afghanistan was quickly put to the test by South Africa.

In the end, they were scuttled out for 56.

Despite the wicket providing the odd surprise, the South African top order managed to ultimately cruise to the target inside of nine overs to secure them a spot for the first time in the ICC tournament final.

In his post-match discussion, South Africa’s captain Aidan Markram said: “It feels good. It is not really the captain that gets you here – it is a massive squad effort.

“Really chuffed for us to have one more crack to lift a trophy.

“It was special. We were fortunate to lose the toss. We also wanted to bat.

“The bowlers put the ball in the right areas and made life tough for the Afghanistan batters.

“It was quite tough, but we knew it was a matter of a partnership to take the sting out upfront.

“Just one more step [the final]. It is an exciting challenge that we have never had.

“There is a lot of belief. We have played really good cricket for a couple of years as a white-ball group.”

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Cricket Board sent out a heartfelt message to Rashid Khan after the match and said in a post on social media: “Chin up, Skipp! You’ve given us the World this event!”

ESPNcricinfo also wrote an encouraging message on X and said: “Regardless of the result today, it’s been a historic #T20WorldCup campaign for Afghanistan”

Some commentators however questioned the ICC’s schedule stating that playing an important semi-final just 48 hours after their Super 8 clash against Bangladesh seemed too much for Afghanistan.

In addition to this, a four-hour flight delay from St Vincent meant the team only arrived in Trinidad on the eve of the match – leaving no time for practise or rest.

Members of the public, both locally and abroad, meanwhile took to social media in their droves and congratulated Afghanistan on their overall performance during the T20 World Cup.

Rajat Agarwala from India said: “Embrace the loss Rashid Bhai and feel proud for what you have achieved. The best ever performance by AFG team. Congratulations.”

BeingBhaijaan wrote: “Chin up #AfghanAtalan, we are proud of you. Thank you for all that you do to bring happiness to our nation. You guys are amazing.”

Another Indian fan said: “Afghanistan is a rising force of cricket, its a learning for you, keep the motivation high, you will become world champions soon, at least earlier than many other teams.”

A Delhi-based journalist, Harish Kumar, summed up Afghanistan’s success these past few weeks and said in a post on X: “Achieving this position is a remarkable accomplishment, not only demonstrating exceptional gameplay but also captivating the global audience with exemplary conduct. Regardless of the game’s outcome, you stand as the ultimate victor.”

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Three Afghans among ICC’s ‘selection’ for ideal T20 World Cup 2024 team

Six players from World Cup winners India make the cut including skipper Rohit Sharma and Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah.

Published

14 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

Three Afghan cricket players have made the ICC’s T20 World Cup 2024 team of the tournament list.

This year’s selection panel, which was made up of commentators Harsha Bhogle, Ian Bishop and Kass Naidoo and ICC General Manager of Cricket Wasim Khan, announced their selection on Sunday, which included Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Six players from World Cup winners India make the cut including skipper Rohit Sharma and Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah.

The team of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 (in batting order) is:

Rohit Sharma (captain) – India

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper) – Afghanistan

Nicholas Pooran – West Indies

Suryakumar Yadav – India

Marcus Stoinis – Australia

Hardik Pandya – India

Axar Patel – India

Rashid Khan – Afghanistan

Jasprit Bumrah – India

Arshdeep Singha – India

Fazalhaq Farooqi – Afghanistan

Anrich Nortje – South Africa

Rohit Sharma will captain the team of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after leading India to their second victory in the competition.

Sharma finished as the second top run-scorer in the competition, scoring 257 runs in eight innings. The pick of his performances came in the win over Australia, when he smashed 92, before adding 57 in the semi-final success against Australia.

He is joined at the top of the order by Afghanistan wicket-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the only man to outscore the Indian opener.

Rahmanullah made 281 runs as Afghanistan progressed to the semi-finals for the first time in their history, making half-centuries in three matches. His 60 against Australia proved pivotal as Afghanistan progressed from the Super 8s.

In at No.3 is Nicholas Pooran, the West Indies wicket-keeper batter, who scored 228 runs at an average of 38, including a 53-ball 98 in victory over Afghanistan.

The second Indian player in the XI is Suryakumar Yadav, the hard-hitting batter rewarded for some crucial innings, notably in the semi-final against England, 47, and the Super 8s win over Afghanistan when he smashed 53 off just 28 balls.

At No.5 is the sole Australian in the team, with Marcus Stoinis included after a stellar tournament. Stoinis contributed with bat and ball, scoring his 169 runs at an average of over 40, and a strike rate in excess of 160. He also chipped in with 10 wickets across the tournament.

The next all-rounder comes from India, Hardik Pandya scoring 144 runs at an average of 48, while also picking up 11 wickets with the ball, and bowling the all-important final over to seal victory.

His teammate Axar Patel was similarly influential with bat and ball. The left-armer was promoted up the order in the final, scoring an invaluable 47, while his three for 23 helped secure victory over England in the semi-final.

Rashid Khan comes in at No.8, the Afghanistan all-rounder excelling in the Caribbean with 14 wickets at an average of 12.78 and an economy rate just over six.

He is followed by Jasprit Bumrah, the standout performer across the entire tournament. It was his spell that swung the final back India’s way, and he finished with 15 wickets at an average of just 8.26, with a remarkable economy rate of 4.17.

The final Indian player in the XI is Arshdeep Singh, who was outstanding in his second World Cup. His 17 wickets were the joint most of any player, including a crucial two for 20 in the final.

The only man to match Arshdeep’s wicket tally was Fazalhaq Farooqi, of Afghanistan, the final player in the XI. His four for 17 helped beat New Zealand in the group stages, as Afghanistan progressed ahead of the Black Caps.

Runners-up South Africa provide the 12th man in the team, with Anrich Nortje having been outstanding for the Proteas. He took 15 wickets at an average of 13.40 and an economy rate under six.

‘It is just the beginning for us’, says Rashid Khan after T20 World Cup semi against South Africa

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Kohli announces retirement from T20 cricket after India’s World Cup victory

It was India’s second T20 World Cup victory after they had won it in 2007 under the legendary MS Dhoni in South Africa, and first since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013.

Published

2 days ago

June 30, 2024

Ariana News

(Last Updated On: )

Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20 cricket after lifting the Man of the Match trophy on Saturday night following India’s victory against South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup.

For India it had been a 17-year wait for the T20 World Cup trophy, which they lifted after beating South Africa by only seven runs.

“This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is what we wanted to achieve. One day you feel you can’t get a run, and then things happen.

“God is great, and I got the job done for the team on the day it mattered. Now or never, the last T20 for India wanted to make the most of it. Wanted to lift the cup, and respect the situation rather than force it.

“This was an open secret, it’s time for the next generation to take over, some amazing players will take the team forward and keep the flag waving high”, said Kohli in the post-match presentation.

It was India’s second T20 World Cup victory after they had won it in 2007 under the legendary MS Dhoni in South Africa, and first since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013.

The former Indian captain and two time world cup winner, Dhoni, expressed his gratitude in an Instagram post after Saturday’s win and said: “WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS 2024. My heart rate was up, well done on being calm, having the self-belief and doing what you guys did. From all the Indians back home and everywhere in the world, a big thank you for bringing the World Cup home. CONGRATULATIONS. Arreeee, thanks for the priceless birthday gift.”

This victory not only secured India’s place in cricket history but also provided a fitting farewell to head coach Rahul Dravid, capping off a memorable performance that will be celebrated for years to come.