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Afghanistan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi represented the thoughts of millions of nationwide cricket fans as he talked with Rashid Khan through video call on Tuesday, June 25 and congratulated the team on reaching the semi-finals of the men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
د هېواد د بهرنیو چارو وزیر ښاغلي امیر خان متقي د نړیوال جام نیمه پایلوبو ته د افغان اتلانو د لارموندنې په پار لوبډلمشر راشد خان ته مبارکي ورکړه او لوبډلې ته یې د لا زیاتو بریاو غوښتنه وکړه، د دوی بشپړې ټیلیفوني خبرې اترې دلته اورېدلی شئ. pic.twitter.com/YMz3jI6Mwe
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 25, 2024
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Muttaqi began his discussion with “Mubarak” (congratulations), sending a message to Rashid Khan shortly after Afghanistan’s exciting victory over Bangladesh in their most recent Super 8 encounter at the Arnov Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent.
Oohh what a win for Afghanistan!!! A much deserved win for a brilliant team and a beautiful country. Kabul celebrates today… So does the world. pic.twitter.com/n2Tr8GXAuw
— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) June 25, 2024
Afghanistan made history by winning one of their most memorable matches and making it to the men’s T20 World Cup semifinals. Afghanistan was on a giant-killing rampage in the Caribbean, having beaten New Zealand, the previous finalists, in the group stage and then stunned Australia in the Super 8 encounter.
The moment Naveen-ul-Haq trapped Mustafizur Rahman to give Afghanistan their greatest victory in cricket history, there was a massive emotional outburst at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St. Vincent.
Bangladesh players hit the ground in shock after losing the match from a position of strength while chasing a modest 114 in 19 overs, while the Afghans celebrated by running around the pitch.
In honour of the historic occasion, all-around player Gulbadin Naib, who had only moments before been on the ground clutching his hamstring, ran the quickest of all his teammates as they rushed towards the dugout.
It wasn’t only the ground, millions of spectators, seated thousands of kilometres away from the real action, erupted into comparable tears. Thousands of spectators came to the streets to celebrate their team’s historic victory, giving it the proper celebration.
Nationwide Celebrations for Afghanistan Team
The madness in Afghanistan. 🤯🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/MyYrAcFidr
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 25, 2024
From the Khost region, people gathered in large numbers around the country to celebrate one of the most significant victories in their athletic history. The fans celebrated in a variety of ways, including dancing in the streets and hurling colours at one another.
THE CELEBRATIONS IN PAKTIA PROVINCE. 🥶🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/5wf2wucJjv
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 25, 2024
Paktia area had the most craziest celebration, with people shooting celebrators to show their joy. You wouldn’t expect to find another celebration like this one anyplace else. Additionally, footage showed the security personnel using water cannons to subdue the throng.
Afghanistan has made significant progress in the past several years, routinely defeating teams thought to be stronger. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, they triumphed over England and Pakistan and, for the heroics of Glenn Maxwell, would have eliminated Australia from contention.
They were grouped with the West Indies and New Zealand in the group stage, but that didn’t stop them from moving on to the next round. They won a Super 8s spot by shocking New Zealand.
Instead of being bogged down, Rashid Khan’s squad completed the task left undone from the previous year by defeating Australia in the shortest format at the Super 8s stage, where they were pitted against two giants from Australia and India.
It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Afghanistan maintained their winning streak and eliminated South Africa in the tournament’s semifinals.