CHENNAI: Afghanistan’s recent rise in the world of international cricket has been well chronicled by a number of journalists and film-makers. On Thursday, they took another giant stride towards realising their ultimate dream of becoming the next nation to play Test cricket.
Going into their ICC Intercontinental Cup four-day match against Ireland, the home side, playing at Greater Noida, had one ambition. Win. A loss would have made it virtually impossible to overtake Ireland in the points table, while a draw would have been a less than ideal result. Ireland, though, do not lose in the I Cup. Coming into this match, they had only lost twice in the tournament’s 12-year history.
But lose they did, by an innings and 172 runs, with Rashid Khan, who was secured by Sunrisers Hyderabad for `4 crores at the IPL 10 auctions, spinning a web (5/99 and 3/44) on his debut at this level.
This means Afghanistan leapfrog Ireland into first place with two matches remaining — gimmes (weather permitting) against Hong Kong and UAE. Win both and they will play a four-match series against the bottom-ranked Test team (currently Zimbabwe) across 2018.
It has to be noted that the top two ranked sides in the I Cup (currently Ireland and Afghanistan) could well be given Test spots anyway, if a spate of reforms are approved by the ICC in a meeting in April.
However, one man who feels confident of reaching the highest stage through the conventional route is Afghanistan chief coach Lalchand Rajput. “The journey has been good,” he said to Express. “We’re confident of making the grade, and showed this year that we’re capable of winning on a consistent basis.”
The war-torn nation, who hadn’t played in an ODI before 2011, has obviously used cricket as a vehicle for change. Barely believable stories of gun-toting 14-year-old kids exchanging rifles and cartridges for balls and bats have been filed by international correspondents for a good six years now.
Rajput has a simple reason for it. “Cricket gives the Afghans a happy feeling,” he says. “We’re all passionate about cricket, and have also got a good bench.”
Two vital ingredients for upcoming teams if they are to advance to the next level.
A few are already at the next level. Rashid and Mohammed Nabi will feature in the IPL, ‘a massive boon’ according to Rajput. “It gives us the incentive to think, ‘okay. If two guys can go there this year, why not two more next year?’ to ourselves.”If their upward trend continues, that could well happen.
swaroop@newindianexpress.com