“Wonderful watching the emergence of Afghanistan” – Ravichandran Ashwin reacts to Rashid Khan and Co's performance at 2024 T20 World Cup

Ravichandran Ashwin has lauded Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan for their performances in the T20 World Cup following their nine-wicket loss to South Africa in the semifinals in Trinidad on Thursday, June 27. Ashwin praised the Asian team for their emergence as a cricket nation as they reached the las four of an ICC tournament.

Their most notable results in the event included 84-run and 21-run wins over New Zealand and Australia in the group and Super-Eight stages, respectively.

Afghanistan have gone from strength to strength from the ODI to the T20I World Cup. They beat Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka in the 50-over World Cup in India last year.

Rashid was seemingly heartbroken to lose against the Proteas but lauded his side for their fighting efforts in the T20 tournament. The leg-spinner wrote on X:

“We will always remember this #T20WorldCup! The fight put ahead by each and every one of this team is commendable and I’m really proud of all of us! We will continue to build from here and comeback with more grit in the next one. Thank you to each and everyone who believed in us and helped us to keep the fight on.”

Ashwin quoted the post on the micro-blogging site. The legendary off-spinner wrote:

“Great efforts from the team and you. Wonderful watching the emergence of Afghanistan as a cricketing nation.”

Afghanistan's campaign at 2024 T20 World Cup

• Beat Uganda by 125 runs
• Beat New Zealand by 84 runs
• Beat Papua New Guinea by 7 wickets
• Lost to West Indies by 104 runs
• Lost to India by 47 runs
• Beat Australia by 21 runs
• Beat Bangladesh by 8 runs (DLS)
• Lost to South Africa by 9 wickets

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Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott and SA captain Aiden Markram slam Trinidad pitch after 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal

Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott and South Africa captain Aiden Markram criticized the Trinidad pitch after the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal. That came as Afghanistan were bundled out for 56 in 11.5 overs. The Proteas chased the target in 8.5 overs, winning the game by nine wickets.

Trott was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo:

“That's not the pitch that you want to have a match, a semi-final of a World Cup, on plain and simple. It should be a fair contest."

"I'm not saying it should be flat completely with no spin and no seam movement, but I'm saying you shouldn't have batsmen worrying about going forward and the ball flying over their head. You should be confident in your foot movement and being able to hit through the line or use your skills,” he added.

Markram also shared similar sentiments as Trott, saying (via ESPNCricinfo):

"The wickets that we've had throughout the competition have been pretty challenging. Tonight's wicket was pretty challenging once again. It's hard to say that a wicket is not good because it can't just always be a batter's game, but I think if we reflect back on this wicket, we'll probably be pretty happy that we're not playing here again."

Click here for the AFG vs SA 2024 T20 World Cup full scorecard.