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The Afghanistan cricket team scripted history by defending 115 runs against Bangladesh to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Although the spotlight is on the players - who have managed to make it to the knockout stage by surviving a group that included heavyweights India and Australia - former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has also played a pivotal role on the sidelines.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) roped in Bravo as a bowling consultant ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. He joined the team in the Caribbean when they were conducting their pre-tournament preparation camp. As far as his coaching experience goes, he has been the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) bowling coach ever since his IPL retirement.
Bravo has had an instant impact with the Afghanistan team. His grasp of the conditions in the Caribbean and his immense experience have helped the players a great deal. The pace unit has shone throughout the World Cup, with Fazalhaq Farooqi being the leading wicket-taker of the tournament so far. Naveen-ul-Haq has also come through, as evidenced by his recent match-winning display against Bangladesh.
Bravo has been a constant presence on the boundary line, staging conversations with skipper Rashid Khan as well as the bowlers fielding in the deep. Even in the tense clash against Bangladesh, he was seen having a chat with Naveen-ul-Haq during the final rain break. He also sent Fazalhaq Farooqi with a message to the right-arm pacer before he bowled the decisive delivery to pick up the final wicket.
All-rounder Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai have had a say in the proceedings too. The former picked up a four-wicket haul in the team's historic win over Australia in the Super 8 stage.
Bravo led the celebrations after the win over the Men in Yellow. He was among the first to run onto the field after the win was sealed, and the celebrations continued in the team bus when he sang his own song, 'Champion', along with the rest of the squad.
"The quality of fast bowling we have, they are skillful" - Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan
Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan lauded the performance of the pacers in the narrow win over Bangladesh, as well as throughout the tournament in general.
"In T20s, we have a strong base, especially in bowling. The quality of fast bowling we have, they are skillful. They gave great starts in this competition and it makes our job easier in the middle," Rashid Khan said during the post-match presentation
Afghanistan will face South Africa in the first semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup in Trinidad on June 26.
