Watch: A jubilant Taliban minister uses a video chat to congratulate Captain Rashid Khan.

INTRO

• For the first time ever, Afghanistan advanced to the men's T20 World Cup semifinals.
• Afghanistan defeated Australia and Bangladesh to advance past the Super 8.
• The minister of the Taliban wished Afghanistan luck in their semifinal matchup with South Africa.

Speaking to Rashid Khan via video conference, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed the feelings of millions of Afghanistan cricket supporters by congratulating the team on reaching the men's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final on Tuesday, June 25. Following Afghanistan's exciting victory over Bangladesh in their most recent Super 8 encounter at the Arnov Vale Ground in Kingstown, St. Vincent, Muttaqi started his message to Rashid Khan with "Mubarak" (congratulations).

Afghanistan made history by winning one of their most memorable matches and making it to the men's T20 World Cup semifinals. Afghanistan was on a giant-killing rampage in the Caribbean, having beaten New Zealand, the previous finalists, in the group stage and then stunned Australia in the Super 8 encounter.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board released a video showing Rashid Khan, who was present at the pitch following the thrilling match against Bangladesh, having a conversation with the foreign minister of the Taliban. Muttaqi expressed his congratulations to the team and wished them further success after they defeated Bangladesh. In a rain-affected match that went down to the wire, Afghanistan successfully defended a 115-run target.

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. pic.twitter.com/YMz3jI6Mwe

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 25, 2024

Afghanistan's players showed off their impressive floor dances as they celebrated their victory. While the players carried head coach Jonathan Troot on their shoulders during the victory parade, Rashid Khan was spearheading the celebration in the team huddle. In the squad bus, Afghanistan's bowling coach Dwayne Bravo's hit songs were also being danced to by the players.

Back home, celebrations for Afghanistan's historic run to the semifinals crowded the streets of Nangarhar province. Afghans had great joy on this day as their squad, led by Rashid Khan, achieved the unimaginable by qualifying for the final four of the T20 World Cup alongside South Africa, India, and England.

On Wednesday, June 26 (Thursday morning in India), Afghanistan will play South Africa in the first semi-final in Trinidad.

Rashid Khan, the captain, expressed his gratitude to Brian Lara, stating that the West Indies legend's selection of them as one of the four semifinalists at the beginning of the competition encouraged them greatly.

The youngsters back home in Afghanistan will undoubtedly be much inspired by the semi-final, in my opinion. The Afghanistan squad advances to the semifinals for the first time. At the 19 level, we have accomplished that, but not at this level. Our first Super 8 experience even came in the semifinals.

The feeling is incredible, and we believe we have validated the correctness of Brian Lara, who was the only one to include Afghanistan among the top four semifinalists. I believe we also mentioned that to him when we first met at the welcoming party, and we'll make sure to back up that claim. As a team, I think it gives you a lot of enthusiasm when you hear such amazing remarks from a legend," he remarked.