Category: Afghanistan

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Afghan central bank to inject $15m to stabilise currency

Afghanistan’s central bank has injected millions of dollars into the money exchange market over the past two and half years…reports Asian Lite News

Afghanistan’s central bank announced in a statement that it will inject $15 million on Monday into the local market to boost the national currency afghani.

“The bidders including moneychangers and private banks should deposit the necessary money in cash in the form of afghani in the central bank, Da Afghanistan Bank,” the statement added, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to the statement, the bank was requesting all eligible banks, foreign exchanges and monetary service providers to participate in the auction.

The bank also auctioned $15 million last week.

Afghanistan’s central bank has injected millions of dollars into the money exchange market over the past two and half years, aiming at preventing the devaluation of the afghani.

The Afghan caretaker government, since assuming power in August 2021, has taken a series of measures to maintain the stability of the afghani against foreign currencies.

Pak-Afghan talks

Pakistan and Afghan Taliban held important talks during an informal dinner meeting on the sidelines of the Doha process for Afghanistan earlier last week. 

While both sides have officially stated that the talks were “positive in nature”, inside sources revealed that many critical roadblocks still persist.

The meeting between Pakistan’s Special Envoy on Afghanistan, Ambassador Asif Durrani, and Afghan Taliban’s Chief Spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid was held at the residence of Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar.

The all-important UN-backed Doha process meeting was attended by several countries, including India.

During the Pak-Afghan meeting, many crucial and sensitive matters were discussed with both sides putting forward their demands and recommendations on the table.

As per reliable sources, Durrani highlighted the issue of the operational presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Afghanistan soil and told the Afghan Taliban to take action against the outfit.

Pakistan insisted that TTP militants are being trained, funded, facilitated, and supported on Afghan territory and are attempting to penetrate into Pakistan through many pockets of the porous Pak-Afghan border.

“Pakistan also briefed the Afghan Taliban on the scope of ‘Operation Azm-e-Istehkam’, asserting that there would be no talks with the TTP and the operation to take down TTP militants would not be compromised,” said a source on the condition of anonymity.

On the other hand, the Afghan Taliban raised serious concerns over the decision of the Pakistan government to repatriate 1.7 million illegal Afghans without consulting the Afghan Taliban and called for an immediate halt to the ongoing process.

The Afghan Taliban also reiterated its previous recommendations for peace talks between Pakistan and the TTP and expressed its readiness to facilitate them.

“Afghan Taliban’s demands were clearly negated by the Pakistan side,” the source stated.

Pakistan has already conducted air strikes on Afghan territory in the past and claimed to have destroyed TTP training centres operating freely on the Afghan side.

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also recently said that the option of conducting air strikes and military operations in Afghanistan to take down TTP militants remains an option and would be considered only if Afghan Taliban continues to ignore Islamabad’s demands of taking action against TTP on Afghan soil.

ALSO READ: Iran voices concerns regarding Afghanistan in Doha meeting

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-Top News Afghanistan Asia News

Iran, Pakistan Deport 12,000 Afghans

The sudden increase in returnees has already overwhelmed communities and humanitarian organisations are struggling to provide support….reports Asian Lite News

Nearly 12,000 Afghan migrants were deported from Iran and Pakistan from July 3-6, Khaama Press reported, citing the Taliban-led Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation.

In a newsletter, the Taliban-led Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said that 11,997 Afghan migrants were expelled by the governments of Pakistan and Iran and have returned to Afghanistan.

According to the newsletter, the expelled people entered Afghanistan through the borders of Torghundi, Spin Boldak, Islam Qala-Herat, and Abreshim-Nimruz between July 3-6.

The trend of deporting Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan continues amid a humanitarian crisis despite international reactions, according to Khaama Press report.

The forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan has exacerbated the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Many of these deportees face uncertain futures after returning to Afghanistan as the country faces economic instability and a lack of basic services.

The sudden increase in returnees has already overwhelmed communities and humanitarian organisations are struggling to provide support.

Human rights groups and organisations across the world have condemned the mass deportations and expressed concerns regarding the safety and well-being of Afghan deportees, Khaama Press reported.

International human rights groups said that such actions violate international law, especially concerning the principle of non-refoulement, which bans the forced return of refugees to a country where they could face persecution or serious harm.

Amidst these developments, Afghanistan faces a dire humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the forced return of thousands of migrants, many of whom include vulnerable women and children. The situation highlights ongoing human rights violations and challenges in protecting the rights and safety of Afghan refugees

After seizing power, the Taliban has shut schools for girls from grades 7 to 12 and barred women from pursuing studies in universities. It has also stopped most Afghan female staff from working at aid agencies, closed beauty salons and curtailed travel for women in the absence of a male guardian. (ANI)

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-Top News Afghanistan Asia News

Afghan central bank auctions $15m to stabilise local currency

Photo taken on Sept. 16, 2021 shows Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Mohammad Jan Aria/Xinhua/IANS)

Since assuming power in August 2021, the Afghan caretaker government has taken a series of measures to maintain the stability of the Afghani against foreign currencies….reports Asian Lite News

Afghanistan’s central bank auctioned $15 million on Tuesday to maintain the stability of the national currency, the Afghani.

“The bidders, including moneychangers and private banks, should deposit the necessary money in cash in the form of Afghani in the central bank, Da Afghanistan Bank,” the central bank said in a statement posted on social media.

According to the statement, the bank was requesting all eligible banks, foreign currency exchangers and monetary service providers to participate in the auction, reports Xinhua news agency.

The bank also auctioned $15 million last week.

Since assuming power in August 2021, the Afghan caretaker government has taken a series of measures to maintain the stability of the Afghani against foreign currencies.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan exported commercial goods valued at 304 million U.S. dollars from March 20 to June 20, said the country’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

“Afghanistan’s exports and imports during the first quarter of the Persian calendar year 1403 totalled approximately 2.577 billion U.S. dollars, with 304 million dollars in exports and 2.273 billion dollars in imports,” the ministry’s spokesperson Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad told local media outlet Ariana News on Saturday.

Afghanistan primarily exports goods to Pakistan, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, India, Austria, Uzbekistan, and Russia, according to Jawad, reports Xinhua news agency.

The main exports included fresh and dried fruits such as pistachios, pine nuts, figs, pomegranates, grapes, raisins, melons, and watermelons. Other significant exports were carpets, handicrafts, and medicinal herbs.

Recently, Afghan police seized 1,500 kg of illicit drugs, including opium and heroin, and arrested 120 alleged drug smugglers from Afghanistan’s Nimroz province over the past six months.

The dossiers of the suspects were referred to the judiciary for further investigation and possible legal process, Xinhua news agency reported.

Afghan authorities have intensified crackdown on illicit drugs and those involved in the business.

Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan had dropped by an estimated 95 per cent since the country’s caretaker government imposed a drug ban in April 2022, according to a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime issued last November.

ALSO READ: Pakistan bomb blast kills 4, including former senator

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-Top News Afghanistan Asia News

Pak-Afghan Doha talks stymied by TTP issues

While both sides have officially stated that the talks were “positive in nature”, inside sources revealed that many critical roadblocks still persist…reports Hamza Ameer

Pakistan and Afghan Taliban held important talks during an informal dinner meeting on the sidelines of the Doha process for Afghanistan earlier this week. 

While both sides have officially stated that the talks were “positive in nature”, inside sources revealed that many critical roadblocks still persist.

The meeting between Pakistan’s Special Envoy on Afghanistan, Ambassador Asif Durrani, and Afghan Taliban’s Chief Spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid was held at the residence of Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar.

The all-important UN-backed Doha process meeting was attended by several countries, including India.

During the Pak-Afghan meeting, many crucial and sensitive matters were discussed with both sides putting forward their demands and recommendations on the table.

As per reliable sources, Durrani highlighted the issue of the operational presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Afghanistan soil and told the Afghan Taliban to take action against the outfit.

Pakistan insisted that TTP militants are being trained, funded, facilitated, and supported on Afghan territory and are attempting to penetrate into Pakistan through many pockets of the porous Pak-Afghan border.

“Pakistan also briefed the Afghan Taliban on the scope of ‘Operation Azm-e-Istehkam’, asserting that there would be no talks with the TTP and the operation to take down TTP militants would not be compromised,” said a source on the condition of anonymity.

On the other hand, the Afghan Taliban raised serious concerns over the decision of the Pakistan government to repatriate 1.7 million illegal Afghans without consulting the Afghan Taliban and called for an immediate halt to the ongoing process.

The Afghan Taliban also reiterated its previous recommendations for peace talks between Pakistan and the TTP and expressed its readiness to facilitate them.

“Afghan Taliban’s demands were clearly negated by the Pakistan side,” the source stated.

Pakistan has already conducted air strikes on Afghan territory in the past and claimed to have destroyed TTP training centres operating freely on the Afghan side.

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also recently said that the option of conducting air strikes and military operations in Afghanistan to take down TTP militants remains an option and would be considered only if Afghan Taliban continues to ignore Islamabad’s demands of taking action against TTP on Afghan soil.

The Afghan Taliban also responded to the statement, threatening serious consequences to Pakistan if such an attempt was made.

Experts believe that while there was nothing achieved from the meeting in Doha, it can pave the way to more consultations and talks between the two sides which can be considered as a positive development.

“The meeting was part of renewed efforts by Pakistan to convince the Afghan Taliban to get rid of TTP and its affiliates. It would not be wrong to say that Pakistan’s hint of extending its military operation into Afghanistan has forced the Afghan Taliban side to table talks,” said senior political analyst Kamran Yousaf.

ALSO READ: Pakistan rice exporters facing shipment rejections from UK, EU

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-Top News Afghanistan Asia News

Over 13k Afghan migrants expelled from Pakistan, Iraq

The expulsion of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and Iran has sharply escalated in recent months….reports Asian Lite News

As many as 13,447 Afghan migrants were expelled from Iran and Pakistan last week, The Khaama Press reported.

According to the Taliban-led ministry, of the total refugees, 10,225 were deported from Iran and 3,222 from Pakistan, with women and children among those forcibly returned, The Khaama Press reported.

The ministry detailed that Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan via border crossings such as Torghundi, Spin Boldak, Islam Qala, and the Friendship Bridge.

The expulsion of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and Iran has sharply escalated in recent months. Both countries claim to have deported Afghans who lack proper residency documentation back to Afghanistan, The Khaama Press reported

Some deported migrants alleged that despite possessing valid residency documents, they were detained by police and were forcibly returned to Afghanistan. Many Afghan migrants have documented instances of mistreatment by Iranian police in their camps.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif had previously announced intentions to enforce international laws strictly at its borders with Afghanistan. The minister emphasized serious measures to prevent undocumented Afghans from crossing back and forth through the borders.

Amidst these developments, Afghanistan faces a dire humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the forced return of thousands of migrants, many of whom include vulnerable women and children. The situation highlights ongoing human rights violations and challenges in protecting the rights and safety of Afghan refugees.

The Taliban say they respect rights in line with their interpretation of Islamic law.

Since they swept back into power, as NATO Foreign and defence ministers withdrew all Allied troops from Afghanistan, most girls have been barred from high school and women from universities. The Taliban have also stopped most Afghan female staff from working at aid agencies, closed beauty salons, barred women from parks and curtailed travel for women in the absence of a male guardian. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Iran voices concerns regarding Afghanistan in Doha meeting

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-Top News Afghanistan Asia News

Iran voices concerns regarding Afghanistan in Doha meeting

Qomi expressed hope that the upcoming talks would alleviate the suffering of Afghanistan’s people and bring about peace…reports Asian Lite News

Iranian Ambassador to Afghanistan Hassan Kazemi Qomi, during the Doha meeting, stressed concerns regarding Afghanistan and conveyed Tehran’s position on it, reported Khaama Press.

Special Representative for Afghanistan Kazemi Qomi said that he participated in the third Doha meeting to clarify Tehran’s concerns regarding Afghanistan.

Qomi took to X on Sunday and said that he aimed to articulate Tehran’s positions, convey concerns about Afghanistan, and explain Iran’s humanitarian policies toward country residents to UN officials and participating nations.

According to Iran’s ambassador and special representative for Afghanistan, the complex and critical conditions in Afghanistan and the region necessitate comprehensive negotiations involving all parties, Khaama Press reported.

Qomi further expressed hope that the upcoming talks would alleviate the suffering of Afghanistan’s people and bring about peace, stability, security, sustainable development, and a government based on the people’s free will without foreign interference or domination.

Meanwhile, the first day of the Doha meeting on Afghanistan was held on Sunday, in Qatar’s capital.

Zaher Jalali, the head of the Third Political Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban, stated that discussions on the second day of the Doha meeting will focus on financial and banking sanctions, the private sector, drug trafficking, and the preservation of progress.

However, the representatives from Afghan civil society and women were absent from this meeting, according to Khaama Press.

Representatives from over 20 countries and delegates from several international organisations are participating in the second session of Doha, and a delegation from the Taliban will also be present at this conference.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said that the delegation from the Taliban-led government will engage in talks with special representatives from various countries and institutions on Sunday and Monday, Tolo News reported.

Civil society and women representatives of Afghanistan, who have been key players in other international conferences on Afghanistan, have not been invited to the third Doha meeting, sparking widespread domestic and international criticism, Khaama Press reported.

The Taliban has not been internationally recognised since seizing power in August 2021 as US-led forces withdrew after 20 years of war. Since the Taliban returned to power, most girls have been barred from high school and women from universities. (ANI)

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-Top News Afghanistan Asia News

Afghan police seize 1,500 kg of illicit drugs, arrest 120 offenders

In the month of May, the counter-narcotics police had wiped out over 17,500 acres of poppy farms in north Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province in the past one month…reports Asian Lite News

Afghan police seized 1,500 kg of illicit drugs, including opium and heroin, and arrested 120 alleged drug smugglers from Afghanistan’s Nimroz province over the past six months, the provincial police office said in a statement on Saturday.

Without providing more details, the statement said that the dossiers of the suspects have been referred to the judiciary for further investigation and possible legal process, Xinhua news agency reported.

Afghan authorities have intensified crackdown on illicit drugs and those involved in the business.

Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan had dropped by an estimated 95 per cent since the country’s caretaker government imposed a drug ban in April 2022, according to a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime issued last November.

In the month of May, the counter-narcotics police had wiped out over 17,500 acres of poppy farms in north Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province in the past one month.

The law enforcement towards these illicit crops was conducted in parts of Baharak, Darayem, Teshkan, Yamgan, Yeftal Payan, Kashm, Juram, and Argo districts, as well as provincial capital Faizabad city, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement issued by the provincial police on Wednesday.

The Afghan police had also destroyed two drug processing labs and arrested 10 people on the charge of involvement in illicit drug business in the provinces of Nimroz, Balkh and Helmand.

ALSO READ-Amnesty calls on Taliban to reopen secondary schools for girls

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-Top News Afghanistan Asia News

Taliban not to discuss domestic issues in UN-led Doha talks

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks during a press briefing in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Nov. 10, 2021. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua/IANS)

Mujahid stated that they are attending this conference under certain conditions, but he did not elaborate on the same…reports Asian Lite News

Ahead of the UN-led meeting in Doha on Afghanistan, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said that domestic issues of Afghanistan will not be discussed, asserting that domestic issues of the nation are not of the United Nations in any way, reported TOLOnews.

According to Mujahid, the Taliban has invited countries at the Doha Summit to interact with Afghanistan.

“Our participation in this meeting is not against any party, but rather engagement with all parties, which should be better understood and utilised,” the Taliban representative said, according to TOLOnews.

He added that Afghanistan’s domestic concerns would not be handled during the third Doha summit since, in his perspective, they are relevant to the country rather than the United Nations.

Mujahid stated that they are attending this conference under certain conditions, but he did not elaborate on the same.

He also remarked on the Taliban’s resistance to women attending the Doha summit, claiming that this opposition was intended to maintain Afghanistan’s cohesive stance at the gathering.

“The issue of women’s participation in this meeting was that no one other than the Islamic Emirate, which is a system, should represent Afghanistan, because if Afghans appear through several channels in external meetings, it means we are still scattered and our nation is not on one path, and it paves the way for external interventions. Therefore, it is better that whatever we do inside the country is among ourselves, but outside, we should be united as a single Afghan,” Mujahid said, according to TOLOnews.

The third Doha meeting is scheduled to be held from June 30-July 1 in Qatar.

The UN held the first Afghanistan Conference (in Doha) in May 2023 without the Taliban to develop a common international approach towards Afghanistan.

The second Afghanistan Conference was called by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Doha, Qatar, in February this year. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, visited Afghanistan from May 18 to 21.

In February 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed an agreement on the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan by May 2021. In April 2021, NATO Foreign and Defence ministers decided to withdraw all Allied troops from Afghanistan within a few months. With the US and NATO forces announcing withdrawal from the country, the Taliban began an assault on major cities and seized control of several of them. In less than a week, the Taliban had captured seven out of 34 provincial capitals in the country.

Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, and the Taliban forces took control of Kabul in August 2021. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Taliban to attend UN-led meeting in Qatar on Afghanistan

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Afghanistan Reaches T20 WC Semis

Rashid finished with figures of 4-23 while Naveen claimed 4-26 in a historic win for Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News

Afghanistan clinched a low-scoring thriller against Bangladesh by eight runs in a rain-hit Super Eight match on Tuesday to enter semifinal of the T20 World Cup for the first time and in the process, also knocked Australia out of the tournament.

Putting into bat first, Afghanistan posted a below-par score of 115/5 in 20 overs. But in defence, Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-haq showcased scintillating bowling to successfully defend the total as Bangladesh were bowled out for 105 in 17.5 overs chasing a DLS target of 114 in a match that was reduced to 19 overs due to rain interruptions.

Rashid finished with figures of 4-23 while Naveen claimed 4-26 in a historic win for Afghanistan.

Batting first, Afghanistan had a slow start as they 27/0 at the conclusion of the Powerplay and easy runs were proving hard to come by. On the very first ball, opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was nearly run out of a quick single, only just making it through.

The opening duo Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran made a 50-run stand early in the ninth over, becoming the first pair to put together four partnerships of at least 50 in a T20 World Cup.

Despite Bangladesh controlling the run rate, they gave away 13 extras in the first nine overs. Afghanistan were 58/0 at drinks and needed to increase their pace.

The breakthrough wicket came on the fourth ball after the mid-innings break, as Zadran (18 off 29) attempted to float one over long off, but didn’t get enough on it. The 12th over was a well-timed maiden, as more nerves kicked in for Afghanistan’s batters.

The breakthrough wicket came on the fourth ball of the 11th over when Zadran (18 off 29) failed to clear long off. The 12th over was a well-timed maiden, increasing the pressure on Afghanistan’s batters.

Azmatullah Omarzai was removed cheaply, and Gurbaz (43 off 55) fell two balls into the 16th over after his crucial contribution for Afghanistan to post a remotely competitive total.

Bangladesh took two more wickets before the 18th over, leaving Afghanistan at 99/5 with two overs remaining. Rashid Khan’s entertaining cameo, including three sixes and frustration over the running between wickets, helped Afghanistan reach 115/5 in 20 overs.

Rain then arrived in St. Vincent, leaving Australia and the competing teams anxiously waiting to see how long it would last.

Defending 115, Gurbaz was back in focus as play finally resumed, but not on a positive note. An awkwardly bouncing ball struck the keeper on the knee and he limped off the ground.

Fazalhaq Farooqi removed Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan (0 off 3) in the second over of the chase. And Naveen-ul-Haq struck two huge blows in the third over, including the captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for 5.

Midway through the fourth over, the rain arrived again. The second delay would exhaust the match’s time reserve – any more delay and DLS would come into effect.

Bangladesh clawed their way to 46/3 at the six-over mark, as Litton Das and Soumya Sarkar stitched a partnership across the back half of the powerplay.

Then came Rashid into the attack, who removed Soumya Sarkar (10 off 10). The pressure was again on Bangladesh, who needed to complete the run chase in 12.1 overs to overtake Australia and qualify for the final four.

Back-to-back boundaries from Towhid Hridoy in the eighth over swung momentum away from Afghanistan, but Rashid took care of Hridoy’s next over, making another twist in the game.

Litton steadied the ship, as drinks approached, finding assistance from reliable veteran Mahmudullah. The pair had their team at 77/5 at drinks.

Rashid then took back-to-back wickets, including Mahmudullah, to end the 11th over and balance the contest. His figures stood at 4-17 off three overs, showcasing his exceptional efforts.

Suddenly, the rain arrived again, as the Afghans were two runs ahead of the DLS par score. But the third delay was only short-lived, as players returned to the field. Bangladesh edged back in front of par in the 13th over, despite their semifinal chances officially coming to an end.

With 20 runs needed from the last four overs, a timely boundary helped Litton to reach a 41-ball half-century. Taskin Ahmed (2 off 9) then chopped on a Naveen-ul-Haq delivery, leaving Bangladesh at 109/9, needing nine runs from eight balls.

Mustafizur Rahman walked out to bat, focused on survival, but was out LBW first ball to Naveen-ul-Haq, who claimed his fourth wicket and sealed a dramatic win to qualify for the semis.

Brief scores: Afghanistan 115/5 in 20 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 43; Rishad Hossain 3-26) beat Bangladesh 105 all out in 17.5 overs (Litton Das 54*; Rashid Khan 4-23, Naveen Ul Haq 4-26) by 8 runs (DLS Method)

ALSO READ: Fans celebrate Afghanistan’s T20 semifinal entry

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Fans celebrate Afghanistan’s T20 semifinal entry

The Rashid Khan-led side defeated Najmul Shanto’s Bangladesh by 8 runs using the DLS system, eliminating one of the favourites, Australia, from the race for the semi-final…reports Asian Lite News

Thousands of fans rushed to the streets to celebrate Afghanistan’s historic first-ever qualifying for the T20 World Cup semi-finals, which the Rashid Khan-led side secured after a thrilling win against Bangladesh on Monday (local time).

The Rashid Khan-led side defeated Najmul Shanto’s Bangladesh by 8 runs using the DLS system, eliminating one of the favourites, Australia, from the race for the semi-final. After impressive triumphs over T20I cricket giants such as New Zealand and Australia during the same T20 World Cup run, Rashid’s Afghanistan made it to the last four.

The magnitude of this victory has also been appreciated by Afghanistan fans, who have gone viral on social media after gathering in large numbers on the country’s streets for celebration parades.

As soon as Naveen-ul-Haq took Bangladesh’s final wicket, Afghanistan players on the pitch and in the dugout burst into tears. Similar scenes played out in the stands, depicting the post-match festivities.

Similar scenes were witnessed in Afghanistan, as fans gathered on the streets to commemorate their team’s historic victory.

Coming to the match that Afghanistan will always remember, Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq led the Afghan bowling attack and helped their side defend the given target of 115. The second inning of the match was reduced to 19 overs, and the target was 114 runs after Rain played a spoilsport in the second inning.

After the defeat, Mitchell Marsh-led Australia are also out of the tournament. The Aussies ended up in third place in the Group 1 table of the Super Eights with just two points.

Afghanistan booked their place in the final four when they overcame Bangladesh’s fight in the final game of the Super Eights in St Vincent. After scoring 115/5 in the first innings, Afghanistan bowled out Bangladesh for 105 in a rain-affected game, securing an 8-run win (DLS method). (ANI)

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