Afghanistan has created history in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. By defeating Bangladesh in the Super-8 stage of the tournament, the team managed to reach the semi-finals of this marquee event. With this, they knocked Australia out of the T20 World Cup. Let us tell you that before the T20 World Cup 2024, many cricket legends had predicted the names of the top-4 teams, but there was only one legendary player who predicted Afghanistan in the top-4.
Ambati Rayudu picked India, England, New Zealand and South Africa, while Sunil Gavaskar chose India, England, Australia and West Indies as his four semi-finalists. Only legendary former cricketer Brian Lara picked India, England, West Indies and Afghanistan as his top four.
Rashid Khan had made a special promise to Brian Lara
Former West Indies cricketer Brian Lara had named India, Afghanistan, England and West Indies, out of which three teams have reached the semi-finals, while West Indies failed to reach the semi-finals. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan remembered Brian Lara’s prediction and he promised Lara before the start of the tournament that he would do this and he also fulfilled his promise.
After Afghanistan’s victory against Bangladesh, captain Rashid Khan revealed what he had talked to Brian Lara. There was only one person who predicted us to reach the semi-finals… Brian Lara, and we proved him right. In the welcome party before the tournament, I told him, ‘We will not disappoint you, we will reach the semi-finals and prove you right.’ I am proud of this team.
India, England and South Africa had already confirmed their semi-final tickets in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. At the same time, with Afghanistan’s victory over Bangladesh, Australia’s dream of reaching the semi-finals was shattered and Bangladesh was out of the semi-final race in the middle of the match.