Afghanistan Learn the Winning Habit

Like England, the Sri Lankan team is a shadow of its predecessors who have made their mark in World Cups. The Lankan performance has been further affected by mediocre leadership that has made poor choices in bowling changes that have often meant that the more effective bowlers like Dilshan Madushanka and Mahesh Theekshana were held back for their second spells till it was too late. But all this does not obscure Afghanistan’s remarkable achievement on Monday – the team has learnt how to win matches.

It did not matter that England and Sri Lanka are pale shadows of their former selves. The 242 posted by Lanka on Monday was not a tough ask on an even wicket. But the runs needed to be scored. And this meant the Afghans had to hold off the Lankans and cross the line. They did it with great conviction with Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai scoring confident half centuries and Ibrahim Zardan chipping in with 39. Despite losing top batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a demoralising duck, Afghanistan hung in and got the better of their opponents by a comfortable 7 wickets. That is some achievement.

The Afghanistan batsmen have looked at ease on the big stage, their shots are authentic stuff and at no stage have they looked part-timers. They could well have had an attack of nerves at just about any point in the Lanka game. A few wickets and the more inexperienced players would have been in the firing line. Having already demonstrated that they are no push overs, Afghanistan finished the game clinically and won another famous victory in what is turning out to be an enchanted World Cup. They have shown more storied sides how to play within limitations on some testing Indian pitches and keep cool in pressure situations.

Afghanistan are now fifth on the table with Lanka at the sixth position. The Afghans are likely to find the going harder as they run into top teams like New Zealand and an Australia that is rediscovering its mojo. After the jolt it received at the hands of Netherlands in Dharamshala, South Africa are back on track too. But while a semi final spot seems a steep climb, Afghanistan can fancy their chances against Netherlands that has also sprung a nasty surprise or two on older cricket playing nations having beaten Bangladesh after stunning the Proteas. Now that would be a match up if there was one.

Afghanistan’s cricketers are not much at home, travelling as they do all over the world playing for various franchises. Their demanding professional calendar seems to have honed their skills. The national team trains in India and this seems fitting enough as this country remains a sanctuary for thousands of Afghans who have been displaced, sometimes having to flee for their lives. Indian cricket grounds are then the perfect setting for the success of the Afghanistan team.

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Rajeev Deshpande

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