Afghanistan Makes History With First Cricket World Cup Win - WSJ

Scotland defeated by one wicket with just three balls remaining

The remote city of Dunedin in south New Zealand secured an unlikely place in Afghan hearts on Thursday as it became the setting where Afghanistan sports history was made.

In the University Oval, a world away from Kabul, Afghanistan won its first match at a Cricket World Cup, defeating Scotland in the most thrilling contest of this year’s tournament, with just three balls left and the last two batsmen at the crease.

When Shapoor Zadran flicked a four to take Afghanistan past Scotland’s 210-run total, he threw down his bat and helmet and dashed across the field, arms outstretched. He sank to his knees and buried his face in the turf as he was congratulated by his batting partner, Hamid Hassan.

The two players had shown great resilience to guide Afghanistan to victory. All looked lost when man-of-the-match Samiullah Shenwari attempted to hit a six but was caught on the boundary, leaving Afghanistan on 192 for 9. He top-scored with 96 runs, and without him Afghanistan would surely struggle. The five batsmen between Shenwari and Hassan at number 10 could only manage 14 runs between them.

But Hassan and Zadran, who are in the team for their bowling rather than what they can do with the bat, kept the score ticking up to Scotland’s total to set up the 50th over finale.  “When we won, we shouted,” Shenwari said. “Then the coach came and told us to calm down…we still have two more World Cup matches to win.”

Cricket was only officially recognized in Afghanistan 20 years ago, when the national board was established. Many of the players in the team today, including captain Mohammad Nabi, learned to play the sport in refugee camps in Pakistan.

“There was nothing in Afghanistan, but now you see on the streets and at schools, just cricket and cricket,” Shenwari said. 

A message on the Twitter account of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani congratulated the team. “It was a fantastic and spirited performance from our boys. Well done! We are very proud of them.”   Read More WSJ

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