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**Dubai:** The 2007 World Cup in the West Indies was a shock to the cricket world as both India and Pakistan, two Asian powerhouses, failed to make it to the Super Eight. India, led by Rahul Dravid, faced a crushing defeat to Bangladesh in their first match, while Pakistan lost to Ireland by three wickets.
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Seventeen years later, the current Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA has brought even more surprises, completely upending the ICC Twenty20 rankings. Notable teams like New Zealand, Sri Lanka (2007 finalists), and Pakistan were knocked out in the first round. Meanwhile, the West Indies (hosts), Australia (2021 champions), and Bangladesh exited in the Super Eight stage.
**The Rise of Afghanistan:**
Afghanistan has emerged as one of the most significant stories of this World Cup, proving they are no longer underdogs with impressive victories over New Zealand and Australia, securing their spot in the semi-finals.
Rashid Khan, the talismanic player, has grown into a leader capable of rescuing his team from difficult situations. With the strategic acumen of head coach Jonathan Trott and the leadership of Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s team management is well-equipped to handle pressure. Rashid Khan’s critical role was evident when Gulbadin Naib experienced “cramps” right before the rain interruption against Bangladesh.
**Afghanistan vs South Africa: A Showdown**
Afghanistan is set for a significant test against South Africa on Thursday at 4:30 am (UAE). Despite South Africa’s struggles to secure convincing wins, they have shown resilience under Aiden Markram’s leadership, often prevailing in close contests. The slow West Indian wickets, favoring both seamers and spinners, work to Afghanistan’s advantage. Their ability to defend a low total of 115 against Bangladesh highlights the strength of their bowling attack, giving them the edge in this semi-final clash against South Africa.
