T20 World Cup bookmakers write off Afghanistan ahead of playoffs

Afghanistan became the final entry to the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final lineup after beating Bangladesh by eight runs in a rain-interrupted Super Eight affair in St Vincent on Monday night.

Despite the victory — their third over a full-member nation this tournament — cricket bookmakers are putting the side as heavy underdogs heading into the playoffs on Thursday.

India still have the shortest odds to win the title. The men in blue are paying just +125 to lift the trophy on Saturday.

South Africa are their nearest competitors, priced at +225 to win their first-ever World Cup title.

England aren’t far behind, sitting at +350 for a successful title defence.

Afghanistan, however, are well off the pace. The surprise package of the T20 World Cup so far return a hefty +900 to complete their Cinderella story.

Long odds no barrier for Afghanistan in the past

That bookmakers have given Afghanistan long odds will be no issue for the giant-killers from Asia.

Rashid Khan and company defied the odds in the group stage to finish ahead of New Zealand and make it to the final eight.

They continued their dream run in the Super Eight phase, bouncing back from defeat against India to pull off a stunning 21-run win against Australia.

The Afghan bowlers came to the rescue once again on Tuesday, allowing Bangladesh to score only 105 runs in a must-win match at Arnos Vale Stadium.

It’s not just the bowlers who have stood up for Afghanistan, however.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the top scorer of the tournament with 281 runs. His opening partner, Ibrahim Zardan, has also excelled, with 229 runs to his name.

The pair are leading outright betting odds for top batter at the T20 World Cup, paying -138.89 and +650 respectively.

Can anyone stop India’s dominant run?

Regardless of their all-round performance, Afghanistan enter the final four as longshots.

Chief among the obstacles between them and an unlikely T20 World Cup victory are India.

India have been in rampant form. They have won all six of their matches convincingly, with both batters and bowlers firing on all cylinders.

India’s chances of ending their ICC trophy drought also received a significant boost when they beat Australia in the Super Eight and eliminated the second favourites from the tournament.

Heading into their clash against England in the semi-finals, the world No.1 side are favourites to advance at -163.93 with Bovada.

Do so, and they’ll be heavy favourites against either South Africa or Afghanistan in the final.

Sports betting news