Afghanistan greeted with ‘Bahubali’ chants after registering their maiden Test win in Dehradun

The Afghanistan team created history after they defeated Ireland by seven wickets in the one-off Test match between the two newest Test-playing nations at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun. This was Afghanistan’s first ever Test win, after their loss in their debut match against India last year.

Afghanistan had to chase 147 runs to win but lost Mohammad Shahzad early. However, a 139-run partnership between Rahmat Shah and Ihsanullah Janat helped Afghanistan create history. The former was the hero of the match for them with the bat and was rightfully named the Man of the Match.

Chants of Bahubali echo in the ground

The history-making win by Afghanistan was not only celebrated by the team at the ground, but the Afghan supporters and the locals who came to watch the match too lauded the effort from the players who were new to the format. As Mohammad Shahzad lifted the trophy and placed it on his head, the crowd started chanting “Bahubali”, reminding everyone of the scene in the blockbuster movie, where hero Prabhas lifted the Shivalinga over his shoulder.

“Playing Test cricket was our dream and today we played our second Test and we won the game. It is a historic day for Afghanistan, for Afghanistan people, for our team, for our cricket board,” captain Asghar Afghan said in the post-match presentation.

Afghanistan’s history-making victory

Afghanistan was put into brilliant position by their bowlers as Ireland could manage paltry 172 in the first innings, which was possible due to a fifty from the no.11 batsman Tim Murtagh. Mohammad Nabi and Yamin Ahmadzai picked three wickets each.

Afghanistan then replied with 314 runs with Rahmat Shah making 98 runs and narrowly missing from becoming the first Test centurion for Afghanistan. The fifties from Hashmatullah Shahidi and captain Asghar Afghan helped the team get a handy lead.

In the second innings, Ireland fared better with Andy Balbirnie and Kevin O’Brien scoring half-centuries as the visitors put up 288 runs on the board. Meanwhile, Rashid Khan became the first Afghanistan bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in Tests with his figures of 5/82.

Here’s the video:

Mohammad Shahzad didn't need any help to lift Afghanistan's first winners trophy in Test cricket 💪 https://t.co/sOa81PaFbS #AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/yuVzr5gcaI

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 18, 2019

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