There is no wonder that RSA (Republic of South Africa) won by 5 wickets. The astonishing fact is that they had to fight to win this game. Afghanistan fought till the end. With 4 wins and eight points, they are at 6th place in the points table. Thus, they have already qualified for the Champions Trophy to be played in Pakistan in 2025.
One of the main impacts of this edition of the World Cup has seen the rise of underdogs – Afghanistan. With India’s encouragement, the Pathans under the leadership of Hashmatullah Shahidi have shown courage and determination. Ajay Jadeja has mentored them well. Although they are out of the tournament, as they could not qualify for the Semifinals, they will be a force to reckon with. Afghanistan defeated three previous World Cup Champions – England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. They defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets.
Tomorrow, Pakistan will meet England. They have to beat England by 287 runs. That looks impossible. Another match is between Australia and Bangladesh. Therefore, India is set to face New Zealand in the first semi-final. The second semifinal will be between RSA and Australia. India’s last match will be on 12 November with the Dutch team.
Glenn Maxwell’s saga continues to enthrall the lovers of this funny game. Tomorrow is billed as Super Saturday, as there are 2 matches to be played. According to Muthiah Muralitharan, India, the unbeaten team so far, are hot favourites to win this championship. Let us wait and see whether this prediction becomes true on Sunday, 19 November 2023.
Backstory
The Afghanistan cricket team’s journey to international recognition is a tale of resilience and passion. Cricket in Afghanistan dates back to the mid-19th century, but it was not until the early 21st century that the national team began to enjoy success. The Afghanistan Cricket Board was formed in 1995, and Afghanistan became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001. This marked the beginning of their ascent in international cricket.
Afghanistan’s cricket team made its debut in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, a significant milestone considering their journey from Division Five of the World Cricket League to a Full Associate Member. Their participation in the 2019 World Cup was their second appearance in this prestigious event. Despite not claiming victory against any national team in the 2019 tournament, their presence was a testament to their growing capabilities and determination.
Interesting Stats
- Rapid Rise: Afghanistan’s cricket team has shown remarkable progress, moving from Division Five of the World Cricket League to a Full Associate Member between 2008 and 2013.
- World Cup Appearances: They made their World Cup debut in 2015 and also participated in the 2019 World Cup.
- Historical Victories: Afghanistan has achieved notable victories in international cricket, including wins over established teams.
- Leadership: Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Test and One Day captain, has been a pivotal figure in leading the team.
- Coaching Influence: The team has been coached by notable figures, including Jonathan Trott and previously by Inzamam ul Haq.
- T20I Ranking and Records: As of February 2023, Afghanistan is ranked 10th in Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket and holds the record for the 2nd highest ever T20I score.
- Challenges and Resilience: Despite political and social challenges, including the Taliban takeover in 2021, the team has continued to participate in international matches.
Afghanistan’s cricket team’s journey is not just about sports; it’s a story of overcoming adversity and achieving success against the odds. Their rise in the cricketing world is a source of inspiration and pride for their nation.
