STEPHON NICHOLAS and RONEIL WALCOTT
Three straight wins, including the prized scalp of New Zealand, in Group C of the tournament secured Afghanistan's maiden qualification to the Super Eight phase. Not even a heavy 104-run defeat to co-hosts West Indies in their final group game – a dead rubber– could erase the shine of their achievement.
Leaning on a world-class bowling attack, Afghanistan bundled out their first three opponents for 58 (Uganda), 75 (New Zealand) and 95 (Papua New Guinea). Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, the tournament's top wicket-taker, and seamer Naveen-ul-Haq have terrorised batsmen with the new ball while Khan's leg-spin remains a threat to even the finest batsmen.
However, Afghanistan received a rude awakening to the Super Eight with a 47-run spanking courtesy India. The Asians, coached by ex-England batsmen Jonathan Trott with two-time T20 World Cup winner and Windies T20 legend Dwayne Bravo as bowling consultant, continued fighting.
Against Australia in their next game, Afghanistan ran their opponents ragged – literally.
A defeat would have ended their World Cup dream and their batsmen responded accordingly, running for singles like their lives depended on it. Singles were somehow turned into twos as a rattled Australia failed to match the desperation and energy of the Afghans.
On a tricky surface, Afghanistan posted 148 for six from their 20 overs.
Against a formidable Afghanistan bowling attack, the total proved more than enough as Australia were all out for 127.
Needing a win in their final fixture against Bangladesh on June 24, the strength of Afghanistan's bowling unit was again evident as they defended a meagre score of 115 for five in a rain-affected contest, winning by eight runs via Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after bowling out their rivals for 105.
[caption id="attachment_1092391" align="alignnone" width="1024"] England's Chris Jordan, left, celebrates after getting a hat-trick by dismissing United States' Saurabh Nethralvakar, right, during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, June 23. - AP[/caption]
Against South Africa in the semis on June 26, underestimate Afghanistan at your peril.
Champs England overcome slow start
Reigning champions England have made the final four, but they arguably took the long route after an unconvincing start to the tourney which saw them flirting with a first-round exit in Group B.
Grouped with Oman, Namibia, Scotland and Australia, the Jos Buttler-led English needed a huge favour from their Aussie adversaries in the final group match to stay in the tournament.
If they do become the first team to defend their T20 World Cup title, the English would reflect on June 15 as a decisive day in their campaign.
With the rain threatening to cut England's tournament short, England got a 41-run win against Namibia in a ten-over affair to move level with Scotland on five points, before a brilliant Marcus Stoinis fifty defied Scotland and effectively sealed England's passage to the Super Eight.
