By James Cooney For Daily Mail Australia and Scott Bailey And Oliver Caffrey For Australian Associated Press
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Australia‘s Twenty20 World Cup campaign has ended in extraordinary fashion after Big Bash League hero Rashid Khan lifted Afghanistan to an historic semi-final appearance.
The match also had its share of controversy, with Afghan player Gulbadin Naib sparking claims of cheating after he appeared to suffer a curious injury.
After losing to India by 24 runs, Australia needed Bangladesh to defeat Afghanistan, but not by more than 45 balls to spare, to progress to the last four.
One of the most severe hamstring injuries I’ve ever seen on video here. Really hope he’s OK #thoughtsandprayers pic.twitter.com/colL5pRSfu
In a bizarre match full of brief rain delays and questionable tactics, star spinner Khan was the hero for Afghanistan in setting up a dramatic eight-run win on Duckworth-Lewis.
However, many have called into question the unsportsmanlike actions of Afghanistan who appeared to fake an injury to waste time.
With rain closing in during the match, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott signalled for his players to slow down – clearly hoping that play would be stopped.
Immediately following this, Gulbadin Naib, fielding at first slip, fell backwards clutching his hamstring, claiming to be badly injured.
If play couldn’t continue at this stage, Afghanistan would have gone through to the semi-finals over the Aussies.
Absolutely pathetic from Gulbadin, Afghanistan & their coach Jonathon Trott. There are legitimate ways of winning a game which you should apply rather than this bullshit acting which are against the spirit of the game.. https://t.co/qAOBnLimPh
Faking injuries ahahaha. Disgraceful from Afghanistan #T20WorldCup
Afghanistan is through to the T20 World Cup finals with a historic victory over Bangladesh
‘Oh no no no, sorry. You can’t have this,’ said commentator Simon Doull.
‘I’m not accepting that.
‘Even Rashid (Khan) doesn’t like it.
‘It’s just delay tactics. I get it but I don’t like that at all. It is unacceptable.
‘They might have gone off anyway for the rain but that’s not a good look.
‘I know the Euros are going on in football, you’d be better off there.’
It comes just two days after Afghanistan scored a rousing upset of Australia to put them in the box seat to qualify for a World Cup semi-final for the first time.
But Bangladesh opener Litton Das threatened to cruel Afghanistan’s dream, carrying his bat with an unbeaten 54 in the Tigers’ total of 105 chasing a revised target of 114.
Adelaide Strikers star Khan (4-23) and Naveen-ul-Haq (4-26) made sure Afghanistan didn’t fall short of the semi-finals as they did at last year’s ODI World Cup.
Earlier, captain Rohit Sharma smashed 92 from 41 balls to help India to 5-205 in St Lucia, before Travis Head’s 76 could only get Australia to 7-181 in reply.
The win means Afghanistan will play South Africa in the first semi-final
‘C’mon Bangladesh,’ captain Mitch Marsh quipped after Australia’s earlier loss.
‘… India got the better of us. Ultimately they were the better team.’
Australia were always on the back foot at Daren Sammy Stadium.
Rohit took charge when he helped crunch 29 runs from the third over of the game off Mitchell Starc, after the left-armer was recalled in place of spinner Ashton Agar.
Starc (2-45) wasn’t alone in copping punishment, with Pat Cummins (0-48), Adam Zampa (0-41) and Marcus Stoinis (2-56) all going at more than 10 an over.
In a brutal display of hitting Rohit smashed eight sixes and seven fours, clearing the boundary over cover and mid-wicket with a mixture of brilliant timing and sheer power.
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
