Brave Afghanistan gave it their all and deservingly qualified for the semi-finals by beating Bangladesh, in the process also knocking mighty Australia out of the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup.
It was a classic game for the ages, one of the best matches in T20 World Cup history.
Three teams’ fate were hanging in the balance and among them was Australia, who probably for the first time in their trophy laden history had to depend on other sides to go through.
History was beckoning for both Bangladesh and Afghanistan as both teams had the chance to advance to the last four of a World Cup for the first time.
While Afghanistan were bubbling with energy, Bangladesh lost the game even before losing it actually.
And that indicates exactly the original scenario of Bangladesh cricket in global events.
A target of 116 runs from 12.1 overs was never an impossible task. They even started the first over with 13 runs.
That means Bangladesh failed to score 103 more runs in 11.1 overs with 10 wickets in hand after the opening over.
Skipper Nazmul Hossain Shanto said the team plan was, if they lost three wickets early then they will try to just win the match, rather than have a go at the target within 12.1 overs in order to progress to the semis.
Such statement from the captain and planning from team management were shocking as Bangladesh had the chance to achieve something huge in their cricket history.
But they just gave up meekly after losing three wickets within the first three overs.
With eight batsmen in the side, giving up on semi-final chances after losing just three wickets was utterly frustrating.
The way Mahmudullah negotiated the 10th over was ugly to watch and tough to swallow as a spectator.
That time the experienced campaigner played five dot balls on purpose and even brought out a few defensive shots. There was no intent of hitting boundaries whatsoever from one of the senior players of the team.
At that point, 43 was required off 19 to qualify but just a boundary and five dot balls played by Mahmudullah left Bangladesh needing 39 off 13, and exactly at that moment the Tigers’ semi-finals hopes were dashed.
Commentators were discussing this shambolic approach at that phase of the game, saying: “Don’t understand what is happening. What's the benefit of just winning the match only? Bangladesh should have played for the semi-final!”
And that’s the reality. What is the benefit of just winning the game and overlooking the semi-final prospects?
Imagine if any other team were in the same situation, would they have also tried to just go for a win sacrificing their semi-final chances?
Even teams like Nepal and the USA would have attempted a proper shot at the last four rather than garner a consolation win only.
Bangladesh batters’ approach and mentality in the previous two matches against Australia and India were poor as well.
It looked like they knew they would not be able to win, and instead played like they were just participating in the game. And this kind of mentality is pegging Bangladesh cricket back.
Year after year, they are just participating in various tournaments and sometimes, after one or two upset wins believe “We are on the right track of improvement.”
But is this enough or the right way to become a top team?
As for the Afghans, what a tournament they are having. They have beaten New Zealand, Australia and now defeated Bangladesh to reach the semis.
None of their victories was termed an upset. Because Afghanistan are not minnows anymore. They are here to fight for the title.
Cricket legend Brian Lara predicted Afghanistan as one of the possible semi-finalists prior to the tournament, indicating their progress particularly in the T20 format.
Afghanistan have been a rising force in recent years and plenty of Afghan players in the International Cricket Council T20 rankings showed just how much they have progressed as players and also as a team.
The war-torn nation has no home venue in its country and they have to play home series’ in Dehradun, India.
But on the cricket field they are like warriors.
Their T20 players are highly skillful with many turning out for big teams in franchise cricket all over the world.
But 15 years or so ago, there was no mention of Afghanistan when it came to top-tier cricket.
But in 2024, they have shown the cricket world how improvements can be made gradually.
This historic moment of reaching the semi-final of a global event is surely the greatest moment for Afghanistan in their cricket history.
And they thoroughly deserve it as real improvement and development of their cricket was seen in recent years.
Do not forget this Afghanistan team defeated Bangladesh at their home in 2018 after achieving Test status a year earlier.
And that was not an upset, rather it was a sign of improvement en route to becoming a big team.
Win or loss are part of the game but if there is lack of hunger for winning and achieving something big with proper planning and execution, then the chances of overall improvement will become very slim.
In such cases a team will always be in the “learning phase” and never become a competitive side.
That’s what is happening with the Bangladesh cricket team year after year.
Even in the ninth T20 World Cup they are still “learning” and counting how many wins they managed in the group stage.
Even after playing international cricket for so many years, the original improvement of Bangladesh cricket still looks like a distant dream.