Afghanistan's captain, Rashid Khan, clarified that all-rounder Gulbadin Naib's apparent cramp, which drew attention during their victory over Bangladesh, did not impact the match's outcome.
During the game, Gulbadin clutched his leg while positioned in the slip, just before delivery was due after head coach Jonathan Trott signalled to slow down the pace. At that moment, Bangladesh was slightly behind the DLS score, with rain intensifying. There was speculation that had the delivery been bowled before the players left the field, Bangladesh might have gained an advantage.
However, the rain eventually subsided, allowing the match to continue, and Afghanistan secured a historic win by bowling out Bangladesh, advancing to the semifinals for the first time. Despite this, Gulbadin's actions faced criticism on social media.
Rashid addressed the situation, stating, "He had some cramps; I'm unaware of what's circulating on social media, but it doesn't matter. It was just an on-field injury. The rain came, and we left the field. It didn't significantly affect the game. We resumed play after five minutes, with no major changes. For me, it's just a minor injury requiring some time."
Rashid stated the team's focus on the result, as they made it to the final four of a World Cup for the first time. "I can't describe my feelings," Rashid admitted. "It's a huge achievement for us to reach the semifinals. The way everyone took responsibility and performed for the team is commendable. It's a massive achievement for us as a team and a nation, and we are now looking forward to the semis."
After Australia's loss to India earlier that day, Afghanistan's fate was in their own hands. Despite their batsmen scoring only 115 on a challenging surface, Rashid believed they were slightly short of an ideal total. "We felt we were 15-20 runs short," Rashid said. "We aimed for 130-135, but with our bowling unit, we believed it was enough. We needed to bowl in the right areas consistently and stay calm to defend our total."
Afghanistan now prepares to face South Africa in the semifinals in Trinidad. Rashid expressed that the team's journey to the semifinals serves as significant inspiration for young players in Afghanistan. He recalled how West Indian legend Brian Lara had predicted Afghanistan's success, which motivated the team. "The semifinal is a massive inspiration for the youngsters back home," Rashid stated. "We proved Brian Lara right when he predicted we'd finish in the top four. His statement gave us a lot of energy."
This achievement marks a historic moment for Afghanistan, proving their capabilities on the world stage and inspiring future generations.