Bangladesh stay alive as Afghanistan stun Australia. A win for Australia would have sent the 2021 champions and India into the last four, but even a second hat-trick in as many matches from Pat Cummins was not enough to keep their unbeaten record at the tournament intact.
Bangladesh stay alive as Afghanistan stun Australia
Afghanistan win also keep Bangladesh’s hope alive in the tournament. In order to progress to their maiden semifinal, Bangladesh, who suffered a 50-run defeat against India in their second Super 8 match, will now have to hope for a series of unlikely events. The Tigers would have to beat Afghanistan in their final Super Eight game on June 25 by a big enough margin to boost their current net run-rate of -2.489 and hope that the Australia-India clash tomorrow in Saint Lucia does not get washed out and India win the match.
Half centuries from Gurbaz and Zadran helped the Afghans rack up 148-6 in their 20 overs before their bowlers dismissed the Australians for 127 on a tricky Kingstown track.
Gulbadin Naib claimed 4-20 and Naveen-ul-Haq bagged 3-20, but it was the third century partnership of the tournament from Gurbaz and Zadran that laid the foundation for a win that also kept Bangladesh alive.
India top Group 1 on four points, ahead of Australia and Afghanistan on two, with Bangladesh alone in last place, with none.
India and Australia face off in St Lucia on Monday, while the Afghans stay in St Vincent to play Bangladesh in the final Super Eight match later that day.