Legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara has been highlighted and praised by Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan after he correctly predicted Afghanistan would make it all the way to the semi-finals of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup jointly staged in the Caribbean and United States.
Lara, in the build up to the tournament, surprised many by naming Afghanistan as a potential semifinalists in recognition of the team’s growing talent and potential.
“Afghanistan, they are capable of getting into the last four” Lara had said while picking his tournament favourites.
His word came to pass, and history created, after they defeated Bangladesh by 8 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method in a tense low-scoring rain-affected Super Eights contest at Arnos Vale in St. Vincent on Monday.
Winning the toss and electing to take first strike, Afghanistan made 115 for 5 but returned to dismiss Bangladesh for 105, after they had been set a revised target 114 off 19 overs.
After their historic victory the spinner, who took 4 for 23 to lead the Afghani bowling attack, was proud at having proved Lara right.
“I think we have proved one person very right: Brian Lara, the only person who mentioned Afghanistan to be in the top four, in semis. I think we told him that as well when we met him in the welcome party – we will make sure we prove that right as well,” Rashid said at the post-game press conference.
“I think when you get the kind of great, great statements from a legend, as a team, I think it gives you lots of energy as well.
“We are capable – but as long we keep the things very simple and I think in the whole competition so far, we kept the thing simple. Yes, there were some tough times but we didn’t let ourselves down and we always try to come back stronger.”
Afghanistan will now play South Africa at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Thursday.
Victory would see them advancing to Saturday’s final against the winner of semi-final 2 between defending champions England and India.
