Dean Jones hails Afghanistan cricket after Rashid Khan’s men demolish Bangladesh in one-off Test

While the focus of the world’s cricketing fraternity remained glued to the absorbing Ashes currently underway in England, something extraordinary happened in Chattogram, Bangladesh on Monday. Afghanistan, one of the newest Test-playing nations led by a new captain in Rashid Khan, stunned Bangladesh in their one-off Test. On a rain-interrupted fifth day, the visitors spun the hosts out of the game to win by 224 runs. The result, however, had no impact on the points table of the ICC World Test Championship since Afghanistan are not a part of it.

Afghanistan, along with Ireland, made their Test debut in 2018 and played their opening game against India in Bengaluru. However, the side was blown away without a fight. They played their second Test against Ireland in Dehradun in March this year and won it by seven wickets. The latest win means the Afghans, a promising side which however lost all its games at the 50-over World Cup a few months ago, have won two of their three Tests.

Prof Deano praises Afghanistan’s feat

Former Australia cricketer Dean Jones applauded Afghanistan for their feat and pointed out the fact that they have now won two of their three Tests. Though Afghanistan are ranked 10th and Bangladesh ninth in the ICC Test rankings, their gap is big and that makes Rashid Khan’s side’s win even more special.

In his tweet, Jones hailed the Afghanistan Cricket Board saying this is just the beginning and many more such memorable moments will be there. Jones, who has briefly served as the coach of the Afghanistan cricket team in the past, said its journey over the last 15 years and what it is achieving today is a big inspiration for others.

Congratulations to @ACBofficials on your 2nd Test win in just 3 Tests! No doubt there will be Many many more to come. What you have all done in the last 15 years and to do what you have done today… is inspirational for all cricket lovers. ????????????????????????????????????????

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) September 9, 2019

Rashid led from the front to win the game for his country. The talented leg-spinner had an ordinary debut against India last year despite his rich exploits in white-ball cricket. He even had an average outing in the World Cup this year. But Rashid came up in a new avatar in the Test match against Bangladesh by scoring a fifty and taking 11 wickets in the match, He was adjudged the man of the match.