Despite the big defeats against Australia and India, Bangladesh had the opportunity to qualify for the semifinals in the recently-concluded ICC T20 World Cup 2024. They had to chase Afghanistan’s 115 runs within 12.1 overs in their last match of the Super Eight. But Bangladesh could not do that. On the contrary, they lost the match.

After the match, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted that after one point, they just played for the win.

However, Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi thinks that Bangladesh fought for the semifinals in that match. Even because of this fight, Bangladesh lost the match, he thinks. 

“There wasn’t enough that much runs in the board. We scored 20-25 runs less. And we had to work hard to defend those runs because we did really well in the World cup. We didn't want to lose that game and that's why. And also Bangladesh had hope as well for the semifinals. They tried to chase the score,” Nabi told BDCricTime.

“They lost a lot of wickets in the first 6-7 overs while trying to do this. Because of this they went on the backfoot and we tried to bowl stump to stump hoping to get wickets. It worked.”

It's worth witnessing the current rivalry between Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Nabi believes that the cricket players don't compete against one another off the field. “No, not that kind of rivalry. We play like friends. In cricket there will be win and defeat. Bangladesh is also a good team. They have experienced cricketers in their team,” Nabi added.