Afghans proud in defeat as fairytale World Cup run ends in semis

Afghanistan T20 World Cup

Afghanistan's spirited T20 World Cup campaign came to an end with a crushing defeat against South Africa, leaving fans in Kabul disheartened yet proud of their team's historic journey to the semifinals. Despite being routed for a mere 56 runs, supporters, including Taliban members, gathered at Kabul Cricket Stadium to watch the match on large screens. The team, led by captain Rashid Khan, had previously stunned cricketing giants like Australia, igniting hope and widespread celebrations across a nation grappling with decades of conflict and crises. While disappointment loomed after their semifinal loss, fans remained steadfast in their admiration for the team's resilience and unity-building role in Afghan society.