Afghanistan the most consistent team at Asia Cup and a serious threat at 2019 World Cup

Ajit Vijaykumar 21:59 26/09/2018
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  • Afghanistan were the most consistent side in the Asia Cup. And, arguably, they deserved to be the first team to qualify for the final. However, they were out of the race before their final Super Four clash – against India in Dubai on Tuesday.

    Against an admittedly depleted Indian line-up missing five main players – six if you include Virat Kohli – the Afghans ensured they made the biggest statement of the tournament in the final over of their tournament.

    India needed seven for victory with one wicket in hand and even after Ravindra Jadeja smashed a four off the second ball, Rashid Khan didn’t lose his composure. India needed one from two balls but smart field placing saw Jadeja lob the ball towards midwicket where Najibullah Zadran completed a brilliant running catch.

    After the match, captain Asghar Afghan had quite a lot to say. “I was sure (we would) play the final. The conditions in Dubai favoured us,” Afghan said. “No one has played here as much as we have. However it was our hard luck that we had our matches in Abu Dhabi. If we had played in Dubai, I can guarantee we would have played the final.”

    Even with the most gruelling schedule among all teams – they travelled from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back to play matches on September 20, 21 and 23 – Afghanistan crushed Bangladesh by 136 runs, lost to Pakistan in the final over by three wickets and again lost to Bangladesh by three runs in the final over. Just a little bit of luck and it would have been Afghanistan in the final.

    The common theme in every Afghanistan performance is the complete absence of fear, total commitment and a perpetual faith in winning a match from any position.

    India were coasting at 110 for no loss and then later 204-4 chasing 253. Most teams would have lost hope at either juncture. But no Afghan bowler or fielder pressed the panic button. Shoulders did not drop and there was no angry shrug of the shoulders. Just a steely resolve to get one more wicket and get into India’s fragile middle order.

    Such dedication for victory is rare to see on a cricket field. Even the best of teams give up the chase at one point and look to mitigate their losses, preserving their resources and energy. But not Afghanistan. Even in an inconsequential match.

    Afghanistan captain Asghar said his team’s performance in the Asia Cup has sent out a warning to all teams at next year’s World Cup. They have spinners who can bowl on any surface and are waiting for main fast bowlers like Hamid Hassan and Shapoor Zadran to regain their fitness. If that happens, they will pose a serious threat in white ball cricket – anytime, anywhere and against anyone.

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