Former
Australia
captain Tim Paine and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who is part of the current
T20 World Cup
squad, had talked about 'manipulating' the result in their final group-stage match against Scotland to knock
England
out of the tournament. But come the semis, Australia will be on flight back home and England will continue their title defence in the second semifinal against India.
Afghanistan's famous win over Bangladesh in the concluding 'Super 8s' match on Tuesday (IST) confirmed Australia's exit, while earning the Afghans their maiden spot in a World Cup semifinal, where they will face South Africa.
T20 WORLD CUP: Points Table | Schedule
In fact, it's India's 24-run win over Australia that put the 2021 champions out of reckoning for the semifinals. India's win also has a sentiment of revenge attached to it because the Aussies had beaten India in the ODI World Cup final last year, and many feel the revenge is complete now. But the T20 World Cup 2024 is still to be won.
However, fans aren't letting the opportunity go and making sure that the Aussies are not just reminded of their wishful desire to eliminate England but also that it's Rohit Sharma & Co who have knocked them out of the tournament, with Afghanistan completing the formalities.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) understandably led the 'roast'. Naveen ul Haq, who starred for Afghanistan with four wickets against Bangladesh, plays for LSG in the Indian Premier League. Besides Naveen, skipper Rashid Khan also orchestrated Bangladesh's collapse with four wickets.
Australia finished third on the Group 1 points table with two points, while Afghanistan's win over Bangladesh took them past the Aussies to No. 2 spot with four points.
From Group 2, South Africa qualified as the table toppers, while England finished behind them to grab the second semifinal spot in the group.
English (US) ·