New Delhi: If the entire cricketing sphere was a classroom, then the Afghanistan cricket team were the ‘backbenchers’. With an aim to shed that tag and turn into class toppers from backbenchers, Afghanistan fought all the possible odds to create a name for themselves in the business. An old phrase that comes to the mind as we talk about Afghanistan’s meteoric rise in the cricketing world is ‘rags to riches’.
It’s never easy to start from a scratch and gain heights. It’s never easy to become the most diligent of all from an ordinary unit. It never easy! But they did the impossible and achieved the unachievable brushing aside the best in the business. The Afghans not only scripted history on Tuesday but also gave birth to a league of their own when they marched into their maiden T20 World Cup semifinals beating Bangladesh in the Super Eight clash.
From downtown to uptown
The story of the terrorism-affected country is similar to shifting your base from a downtown area of a city to the civil lines. With a dearth of almost every basic thing in their country, Afghanistan rose to magnificent heights despite their country being ruled by the Taliban. Many of the dashing men in their unit have come from refugee camps and rising to such heights is nothing short of commendable. With every day of their lives surrounded by struggle and chaos, they have studied the game literally under the street lights and emerged as the best.
They were far away from all the five-star facilities available to other cricket players from different nations but they possessed the will to make a name for themselves in the market. Aided by many nations, with India’s role atop the table, Afghanistan have utilised all they got to stand in queue among the biggies. Their rise has set an example for many minnows in the cricketing world that if you work towards achieving a goal, nothing can stop you.
A majestic triumph
Although, the process of Afghanistan’s evolution began couple of years ago only, yet their performance at last year’s ODI World Cup was big game-changer for them. In just a span of 8 months, this is Afghanistan’s second big achievement at a big-ticket event after they stunned the cricketing fraternity and the entire world with their remarkable performance at the 50-over World Cup. They exited the marquee event with heads held high and they are dominating in the ongoing 20-over World Cup, not far away from achieving what has not been achieved till now.
Here to stay and conquer
Gone are the days when there used to a division between the standard and the substandard. With the ouster of teams like the mighty Australians, the ruthless Pakistanis, the disciplined Kiwis, the erstwhile biggies West Indies and not to forgot 1996-ODI World Cup champions Sri Lanka, the stage has completely taken a U-turn.
It is not just a mere win or a historic entry into the semifinals of a big event for Afghanistan, it is a loud and clear announcement by a cricketing country, which wasn’t counted at all, that they are here to stay and conquer. With three out of four wins in the group stage games and two out of three wins in the Super Eight clash, the Afghans have made an entry into the semifinals of the World Cup in utmost style.
Twenty to Four
The much-awaited event of 2024, which started off with as many as 20 participants, has now narrowed down to the top-four sides. It will now be a battle of the elites as Afghanistan lock horns with South Africa, who have been unbeaten so far in the event, and India will play England in another knockout clash. With all the sides as the favourites till it narrows down further, Afghanistan have a fair chance of making it to the finals and then eventually achieving their dream.
It’s just a matter of days when their fate will be decided and even if turns the other way round, they surely have plenty to cherish for.
Afghanistan cricket team achieved the unachievable on Tuesday after they stormed into their maiden T20 World Cup semifinal, silencing Bangladesh in the Super Eight clash and brushing aside Australia in another crucial clash earlier on Sunday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
