Afghanistan are simply two video games away from pulling off an unbelievable fairytale on the T20 World Cup… however critical questions have to be requested over their behaviour in reaching the semi-finals

Afghanistan tackle South Africa within the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in Trinidad on Wednesday night time realizing they’re two video games away from certainly one of sport’s most unbelievable fairytales – however going through critical questions on their behaviour throughout Monday night time’s nerve-shredding win over Bangladesh.

Needing victory to qualify and knock out Australia within the course of, the Afghans had crept forward of Bangladesh on DLS when their coach, the previous England batsman Jonathan Trott, shouted at his gamers from the sidelines to ‘gradual it down’ as rain started to fall in St Vincent.

All-rounder Gulbadin Naib, stationary at slip, collapsed to the bottom clutching his left thigh, as if he’d been shot by a sniper. He was helped from the sphere with supposed cramp, earlier than rain stopped play moments later, with Bangladesh 81 for seven after 11.4 overs in pursuit of 116, and two runs behind Afghanistan on the rain charts.

As soon as performed resumed, there was extra drama. Bangladesh opener Litton Das dragged his aspect stage on DRS with two overs to go, just for Afghan fast Naveen-ul-Haq to take the final two wickets in two balls, sealing a momentous eight-run victory for a group who had not received a sport on the earlier T20 World Cup in Australia.

By now again on the sphere, Gulbadin led the celebratory cost because the gamers – a lot of them in tears – hurtled in direction of the dugout.

Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib went down clutching his hamstring within the latter levels of the match, however was seen sprinting when Afghanistan received a couple of minutes later

He gave the impression to be following orders from Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott (pictured) to gradual the sport down as rain was falling with Afghanistan forward within the sport

‘He had some cramp,’ mentioned Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan, who hit three essential sixes and took 4 wickets. ‘I don’t know what occurred to him and I don’t know what’s happening in social media, however that doesn’t matter. We didn’t lose any overs, the rain got here and we simply went off – it didn’t carry an enormous distinction within the sport.’

Regardless of the shenanigans, Afghanistan’s progress right here, which has included wins over New Zealand and Australia, has lifted the match, with the irrepressible Rashid describing it as ‘a dream for us’.

It’s only 16 years since Afghanistan have been squeaking previous Jersey within the Division 5 ultimate of the ICC’s World Cricket League, a sport by which Mohammad Nabi – now certainly one of their main all-rounders – took half. Their rise from the refugee camps of Pakistan, the place a lot of that 2008 group discovered the sport, to a World Cup semi-final, is astonishing.

And their gamers have lit up the Caribbean. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have been the match’s most spectacular opening partnership, whereas left-arm fast Fazalhaq Farooqi is the main wicket-taker, with 16. Rashid and Naveen are additionally within the high 5.

Many critics consider the Afghan males shouldn’t be allowed to participate in worldwide cricket whereas the ruling Taliban authorities suppress girls again residence. However the ICC have determined to remain out of Afghanistan’s inside politics, and there was no doubting Rashid’s sincerity as he rejoiced in his nation’s biggest sporting triumph. ‘We needed to make the individuals again residence pleased,’ he mentioned.

Victory over South Africa would take that to a different stage.