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Emergence Of A New Challenger: Why Big Boys Must Be Wary Of Afghanistan In Asia Cup

Debashis Sarangi

Afghanistan could threaten the big teams [Source: @kaustats, @SanataniGrok/X]Afghanistan could threaten the big teams [Source: @kaustats, @SanataniGrok/X]

Once, a wise man said, “Change is the only constant in nature”, giving the human species a brief yet precise idea about how every single thing operates, at both micro and macroscopic levels, in a fast-paced world. Charles Darwin’s immortal theory verified it scientifically, proposing evolution as the ultimate mechanism responsible for the survival of the fittest. 

One significant factor that makes cricket a ‘larger than life’ sport is its peculiar tendency to satisfy these fundamental laws. Cricket, just like any other field, demands consistent evolution, something the Afghanistan cricket team has done with perfection over the years. 

Afghanistan’s Transformation From Rookies To Maestros 

Let’s roll back the clock to 2010, when the Afghans were complete novices in cricketing affairs. They were rookies, yet they entered the World Cup on the back of four convincing wins in their first six recognised T20 International matches. Although India and South Africa were too hot to handle for them in the Caribbean, Afghanistan made sure they didn’t miss out on one thing that could help them at their worst: evolution. 

The results of Afghanistan’s perseverance soon began to reflect in their performance, as a win over the mighty West Indies in the 2016 World Cup forced the cricketing world to take notice and acknowledge their cricketing prowess. And it’s fair to say that they have never looked back since then. 

With 86 victories in 141 T20Is, including a historic semifinal appearance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan have stamped their authority over the shortest format. More importantly, their recent form, which has seen them win ten out of fifteen outings, unarguably makes them the dark horses for the upcoming Asia Cup. 

Battlefields of UAE: Afghans’ favourite hunting ground

Afghanistan have enjoyed stellar success in the United Arab Emirates, a country that will host the upcoming Asia Cup edition. The data also verifies the claim, suggesting Afghanistan have won 37 while losing just 17 out of 55 T20Is that they have played in the Gulf nation. 

UAE’s placid pitches suit their batters, who generally tend to keep the scoreboard ticking through strike rotation and frequent boundary-hitting. 

Additionally, the Afghanistan players have excellent fitness standards to endure the abrasive conditions where their counterparts, barring those from India, might feel the heat. 

But first and foremost, Afghanistan have an exceptional quality and depth in their spin attack which can send shivers down the opponent’s spine. 

The nerves of steel have been developed

Afghanistan defeated Australia in 2024 T20 World Cup [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]Afghanistan defeated Australia in 2024 T20 World Cup [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X]

Thus, purely on skillset, Afghanistan roughly have all the ingredients to make their Asia Cup campaign memorable. But do they have the fighting spirit, a key requisite for success in multi-national tournaments? Yes, they definitely have. 

There are several instances when Afghanistan fumbled in crunch situations and lost multiple iconic contests that they should’ve ideally won. Be it the 2019 World Cup game against Pakistan or the 2023 World Cup affair, which witnessed Glenn Maxwell’s superhuman knock, Afghanistan missed historic victories by a whisker, the reason being their inability to seal crucial moments. 

However, things have drastically changed since Jonathan Trott’s appointment as Afghanistan’s head coach, which is unarguably the best decision the ACB has ever made. The English great, who was known for his ability to grind and play out hostile spells, has been able to transfer his never-say-die attitude to his disciples, turning the Afghans into giant killers. 

A tricky 283-run chase against Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 World T20 clash versus the mighty Aussies, where Afghanistan knocked out the 2021 edition champions, are proof of the Atalans’ revamped mindset, which makes them a team to be reckoned with. 

A surprise is on the cards for Asian powerhouses

Gone are those days when India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were considered the bosses in the Asia Cup. 

While India and Sri Lanka have managed to maintain their big-boy stature intact by keeping pace with the demands of modern-day cricket, Pakistan have undoubtedly regressed as a cricketing nation since their famous victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. 

Bangladesh, despite several attempts, have yet to crack the code in T20Is. But the rise of Afghanistan certainly challenges India and Sri Lanka’s monopoly, promising a refreshing change in the upcoming Asia Cup edition. 

You win some, you lose some. Afghanistan players’ form, fitness, and past records in the UAE do not guarantee their triumph in the Asia Cup. In fact, none of us will be surprised if they don’t end up winning the competition. 

However, their killer instinct warns other teams to underestimate them at their own risk, and promises something to cheer about for their passionate fans, who, unfortunately, have few things apart from cricket to rejoice in.