A fairytale: The Afghanistan Cricket Team

There was a time when nobody really cared how Afghanistan fared in a match, or cared to check how certain Afghan players performed. Nobody cared if their matches were being telecasted, nobody cared when they termed them ‘minnows’ despite their subtle surge in the International arena. Who knew that Afghanistan played cricket existed since the 19^th century? But here they are, with a story to tell the world, with people acknowledging the brilliant cricket they are playing, advocating their wish to grant them the Test status and with Doordarshan willing to telecast their matches. They called for attention first when they became one among the many associated Teams to qualify for the World T20 group stages. They grabbed eye-balls then, and since then they have our eyes glued upon them.

When the Caribbean’s got together with the Afghans

I remember when Nagpur stood up to contribute to their joy when they became the only Team to beat champions West Indies’ in the World T20. Just one day before their match, we saw pictures of the Windies and Afghans hanging out together in the hotel. And then, the very next day, there stood Chris Gayle, Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo applauding a side that had won the match and the hearts. The team had begun to do the signature Champion Dance when they took a Windies wicket when they needed 27 off 16 balls. But who knew that they would have Gayle dancing along with them despite losing to them? The world was happy for a moment. It was cricket, off the field, at its best.

Things only got better for Afghanistan. A war-torn country that doesn’t even play its home matches in their own country because of lack of security, inadequate facilities is putting Afghan cricket on the map. Does that not make up for one of the most beautiful stories in cricket history? They played their home matches in Dambulla, then some in Sharjah and now have Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, India as their home ground. They have now been groomed by coaches like Inzamam-ul-Haq and Lalchand Rajput.

An excellent couple of months have continued for Afghanistan. Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan became the first Afghan players to play in the IPL in February. They are set to play for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. In December, the team had been on a 10-match winning streak in T20Is – a world record. The duo has also made the cut in the CPL.  Mohammad Nabi became the first Afghanistan player to be picked in the 2017 CPL draft as he earned a payday worth USD 90,000 by the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Then, Rashid earned USD 60,000 as he got picked by the Guyana Amazon Warriors. Just hours before he was picked up, he had produced a spellbinding display against Ireland, picking up five wickets in nine balls to turn the game around in a 17 run-win for his Team.  Shahzad some days back set the record for being the only player in history to score two 50s on the same day. And, Mohammad Rashid became

On March 12, 2017, Afghanistan set the T20 world record for winning 11 matches without a defeat as they recorded their second 3-0 whitewash in T20Is. They also smashed the highest ever score by an Associate Team in T20I history. Afghanistan cricket team’s most prized possessions, Nabi and Mohammad Shahzad decided to put the Irish bowlers in a fix as they went on to 89 and 72 respectively. While these two batsmen tore the Irish bowling apart, Rashid once again wrecked havoc as he ripped the Irish batting line up apart with his triple strikes. The young man was awarded the Man of the Series award for his consistent brilliance.

This team has been displaying the courage to make a mark consistently. Their grit and determination is admirable and in the process of winning matches, this thrilling side is also winning hearts. It could be a non-athlete-looking Shahzad producing a stellar runfest, or a certain Nabi’s agility providing relief till the end. It could be Stanikzai’s belief in his boys or Rashid’s invincible youth causing a carnage for the batsmen, this extremely passionate side is here to stay.

Like Shafiqullah Zadran, the cricketing world has now started to believe that they definitely can be a very tough Test side in three years’ time for their claim of having brilliant spinners, fast bowlers and powerful batsmen and all-rounders stands true. While Mohammad Shahzad may be wondering what else he should do to get a cricket league contract, Rashid and Nabi will be preparing to take the IPL by storm. And, we will be right here, hoping for many more videos of young Afghan bowlers to surface and for the Afghan fairytale to last for a long time.

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