By Afghanistan vs. Australia (T20 World Cup 2024): In their Super Eight encounter, Afghanistan shocked Australia by 21 runs. Australia managed 127 in 19.2 overs, while Afghanistan reached 148/6 in 20 overs. Afghanistan’s victory was noteworthy because it was their first over Australia in a Twenty20 International match.
These wins show how well the team can perform against elite teams and how much the cricketing nation has grown.
Afghanistan’s ascent to the top of the cricket world has been characterized by tenacity, fervor, and noteworthy achievements. The following are some salient points:
1. Early Beginnings: Afghanistan first played cricket in the middle of the 19th century, but the national team didn’t start to become well-known until the early 21st. The International Cricket Council (ICC) accepted the Afghanistan Cricket Board as an affiliate member in 2001. The board was established in 1995.
First International Matches: Afghanistan competed in the ACC Trophy in Malaysia in 2003, the year of their first international matches. Along the road, they defeated Bahrain and Malaysia to finish sixth in the competition.
Rise to International Competitions: Afghanistan qualified for their first World Twenty20 in 2010 and was participating in Division 5 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) by 2004. Since then, they have taken part in a number of significant international competitions, like as the T20 World Cup and the ICC World Cup.
Full ICC Membership and Test Status: Afghanistan became the 12th country to play in the Test series on June 22, 2017, when it was given full ICC membership and test status. This was a big turning point in their cricket career.
Recent Achievements: Afghanistan has defeated prestigious teams, such as Australia in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Against Ireland in 2019, they also set a record for the second-highest T20I score ever, with 278/3.
Taliban Takeover and Cricket’s Persistent Popularity: In Afghanistan, cricket has maintained its popularity even after the Taliban took power in 2021. The men’s national team has maintained its progress, culminating in a historic ODI series victory against Zimbabwe in 2021, thanks to the Taliban’s permission to play in international matches.
Present Situation and Prospects for the Future: Afghanistan is still participating in international cricket competitions and is presently rated 10th in T20I cricket. A new generation of cricket players has been motivated by the team’s success, which has also helped to popularize the game across the nation.
All things considered, Afghanistan’s rise to prominence in cricket has been characterized by tenacity, forethought, and a strong love for the game. Their achievements have not only brought pride to the nation but have also helped to unite Afghans across the globe.
