Taliban gets involved in T20 World Cup 2024 after Afghanistan's win; passes this message to Rashid Khan

The Taliban expressed gratitude towards India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their support in the growth of Afghanistan cricket. The Taliban statement came after the Afghanistan cricket team reached the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA.

Afghanistan has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the 10th team ever to reach the semi-finals of a Cricket World Cup (ODI or T20). Afghanistan joined the International Cricket Council (ICC) as an affiliate member two decades ago. The team reached the semi-final of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

Thankful For India’s Continuous Help - Taliban

The Taliban thanked India for its ongoing support in enhancing the capacity of the Afghanistan Cricket Team. They acknowledged their role in Afghanistan's achievements, including their recent victory over Bangladesh.

"We are thankful for India’s continuous help in capacity building of the Afghan Cricket Team. We really appreciate that," Taliban's Head of the Political Office, Suhail Shaheen told WION News.

India has contributed to Afghanistan's cricket development through financial support and infrastructure aid. The BCCI provided training facilities to Afghan players at Indian stadiums and sponsorships from Indian companies. They also granted $1 million for the construction of the Kandahar Cricket Stadium.

The BCCI provided the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida and another ground in Dehradun as temporary home grounds for Afghanistan. India also hosted Afghanistan's inaugural Test match. The Afghan players have been regular members in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The key Afghan players like Mohammad Nabi, captain Rashid Khan, and Naveen-ul-Haq sharpened their skills in the IPL. Next month, Afghanistan is reportedly scheduled to host Bangladesh in a three-match ODI and T20I series on Indian soil, with matches slated for Noida and Kanpur's Green Park Stadium.

Watch - Minister of Foreign Affairs Congratulated Rashid Khan

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) shared a video on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) where Afghanistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, congratulated Rashid Khan on reaching the T20 World Cup semi-finals.

“The country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, congratulated Rashid Khan, the Afghan team captain, on reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup and wished the team more success. You can listen to their full telephone conversation here.”

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. p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->Y<!---->M<!---->z<!---->3<!---->j<!---->I<!---->6<!---->M<!---->w<!---->e

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Afghanistan secured their first-ever semifinal berth in the T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating Bangladesh by 8 runs in their last league stage match on Tuesday, June 25. The Rashid Khan-led team also defeated strong title contender Australia in their second Super Eight match by 21 runs in St. Vincent.

The Rashid Khan-led team will face the Aiden Markram-led South African team in the first semi-final match in Trinidad on Wednesday, June 26 (local time). The Afghanistan team hopes to perform well in this knockout match and advance to the summit clash of the ongoing ICC tournament.

Also read: Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah ignored as Sunil Gavaskar backs this player to guide India to victory in semifinals