Afghanistan - Minnows Ready To Rock The World

Tristan Lavalette charts how, from the wreckage of war, a cricket team has risen to offer a genuine challenge to the giants of the global stage

Their pacemen quickly became cult favourites. Shapoor Zadran, the one with the long, unkempt hair, had a ludicrous run-up. Hamid Hassan, his partner in crime, wore colourful war paint and celebrated wickets with cartwheels. It’s fair to say Afghanistan stole the show during the interminably lengthy group stage of the 2015 World Cup.

Above else, their nerve-jangling one-wicket victory over Scotland and subsequent celebration for the ages is an indelible memory. Afghanistan became a firm fan favourite. For many, they were the first Associates team to truly capture the hearts of the mainstream cricket audience – many of whom sadly neglect the sport beyond the Test world.

With the ICC controversially culling the World Cup to 10 teams, there were prevailing fears that Afghanistan might not qualify for the 2019 edition. Petitions were made. Of course, to no avail as the ICC stuck to its rigid 10-team stance but, nonetheless, Afghanistan will be in the UK for cricket’s biggest stage.

A lot has changed in four years. Afghanistan now has Full Membership and claimed their first Test victory after beating Ireland last month. They have built a decent ODI record with 32 wins from 59 matches since the last World Cup.

Afghanistan’s strong showing at last year’s Asia Cup underlined their emergence. They beat Sri Lanka for the first time and then trashed Bangladesh. Most impressively – and ominously for opponents – they tied with India. Those performances fuelled belief that Afghanistan could be a giant killer at the World Cup.