Afghans celebrate their men’s cricket team reaching first ICC T20 World Cup semifinals
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghans in their thousands took to the streets to celebrate their men’s national cricket team reaching the Twenty20 World Cup semifinals for the first time on Tuesday.
Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by a nervy eight runs in St. Lucia in the Caribbean to qualify ahead of 2021 champion Australia.
Big screens in various cities drew huge gatherings, even though the match started at 5 a.m. Kabul time.
“I can’t find words to explain my happiness at this moment, it is a massive victory for all Afghans,” said Shah Mohammad, 42, from Kabul. “We are so proud of our national team. They have created such a happy moment for us, and now we are optimistic that the team will make it to the final.”
In the semifinals, Afghanistan will take on unbeaten South Africa in Tarouba, Trinidad on Wednesday night (Thursday morning for Afghans). India plays defending champion England in the other semi.
“All (eyes) on the next one !!,” Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan posted on X. “This is for each and every (Afghanistan) fan who believed in us and kept us going.”
Khan was congratulated in a video call after the match by Taliban acting minister of foreign affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Former president Hamid Karzai also applauded the team and the country. “I offer my heartfelt congratulations to all the countrymen, especially the players of the national cricket team, and wish them continued success,” Karzai wrote on X.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board displayed pictures of the jubilant cricketers including Khan and Gulbadin Naib embracing after the team defended a small revised total of 114 runs against Bangladesh.
“This VICTORY means the world to us!,” the ACB wrote on X. “Congratulations to the entire nation.”
Afghan cricket fans in different countries celebrated the historic achievement by posting videos of them doing the national dance, known as Attan.
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