Sports
T20 World Cup: Afghanistan’s march to semis is an ode to their courage and perseverance
New Delhi, June 26 (IANS) Upon successfully trapping Mustafizur Rahman lbw, Naveen-ul-Haq enthusiastically sprinted around the field at Arnos Vale Stadium in the wee hours of Tuesday. His teammates, as well as support staff members in the dugout, rushed to join him in celebrating Afghanistan’s unprecedented entry into the T20 World Cup semifinals with an eight-run win against Bangladesh.
Back home, streets from Kabul to Kandahar, Khost to Nangarhar, and Jalalabad to Laghman erupted into joyful celebrations. Teary-eyed cricket-loving fans rushed out into the streets to celebrate the team, which added another glorious chapter to its fantastic rise in international cricket.
“The atmosphere was of very, very big celebrations. It’s something very special which has happened and everyone in the country is talking about it,” Raees Ahmadzai, Afghanistan’s assistant coach, told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Wednesday.
“I watched some videos on X, especially from Jalalabad and other parts of the country, where massive crowds came out on the roads amidst very hot weather. Sometimes you cannot control the people in the way they celebrate something special. They were dancing, singing, hugging each other, smiling, laughing and just wanted to celebrate in their own way,” he added.
“Everyone was just shouting, ‘Afghanistan Zindabad, Rashid Zindabad, cricket team Zindabad’. The other day, everyone was just supporting India to beat Australia, as it would make it easy for Afghanistan to qualify for the semi-final. When we beat Australia, it was the moment of the World Cup for us. Now, to qualify for the semi-final, the happiness is at another level,” Ahmadzai said.
Witnessing Afghanistan’s march to the T20 World Cup semifinals made Ahmadzai recall about how cricket became an inseparable part of the country’s culture. Back in 2004, Ahmadzai was a part of the Afghanistan team that finished in sixth place in the Asian Cricket Council Trophy in Malaysia, a tournament featuring 15 teams, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bhutan, and Iran.
The lack of facilities didn’t stop them from giving it their all on the field with a winning mindset. “At that time too, we had this mindset of ‘want to win everywhere’ and never thought about facilities. We just had that mindset of ‘Okay, we have come out and let’s do something for the country’.”
“Plus, as players, we are also big lovers of cricket and just wanted to play the game, as there was no other option for us. Now because of that, we have huge talent, and now playing on a big stage, like the IPL or other leagues. So, cricket holds a very special place for everyone in Afghanistan. When Rashid Khan is playing for the country, he’s totally different Rashid, and that means everyone wants to do something very special for Afghanistan,” he adds.
Rashid, Afghanistan’s talismanic captain and leg-spin lynchpin, is one of the most sought-after players in T20 franchise leagues worldwide. In a see-saw clash with Bangladesh, Rashid struck three sixes in making 19 off 10 balls and picked 4/23 with the ball to propel Afghanistan towards the semifinals.
Rashid, the seemingly calm captain, completely transformed into an animated figure – yelling at Noor Ahmad for a misfield, angrily throwing his bat towards Karim Janat when he refused to take a brace, and becoming livid over Gulbadin Naib’s hamstring cramp, which appeared to be a tactic to slow down the match.
“He’s a very simple guy who’s always leading from the front. When the team needed something to take them out of trouble, he’s coming in to lead on that front. In the training sessions, whether it’s fielding or bowling, Rashid is leading by example there.”
“Against Bangladesh, when the team needed someone to stand up on a very difficult wicket, he came, made some crucial runs and took big wickets, and that’s his beauty. The way he is leading the side with a big heart, he’s God’s gift, not only for Afghanistan but also for cricket worldwide,” said Ahmadzai, who hasn’t travelled for the World Cup due to recovery from a knee issue.
Naveen’s initial burst in the power-play set the stage for Rashid & Co to reach the semi-finals while defending 115. Ahmadzai, who played five ODIs and eight T20Is for Afghanistan, shares why he always refers to Naveen as Mr Clever in his social media posts.
“When I mention Mr. Clever, everyone knows that I’m talking about Naveen. He’s a very smart and very clever person. I have never seen such a talented and smart cricketer in my life. I have met many international players, but the way he’s talking, especially in meetings and his knowledge about cricket, and conditions, he’s the Mr. Clever.”
Ahmadzai admires left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has formed a strong fast-bowling pair with Naveen. “When we went first time to South Africa for the 2020 U19 World Cup, I was the head coach of the team. On seeing Farooqi, I told him, ‘Remember, one day you will represent the country. So, be smart and try to improve day by day.’ Now, he’s the leading wicket-taker in this World Cup.”
When quizzed about Gulbadin Naib’s hamstring cramp at slip just before the rain came, Ahmadzai couldn’t help but let out a hearty chuckle. “I spoke with him about this and said that was not right, man. I would just say, he was taking like a few seconds there. But he said ‘I felt some problem there that time’. I said, ‘Okay I will speak with you when you would come here’.”
Naib’s incredible recovery from a cramp allowed him to dismiss Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and take Afghanistan one step closer to a historic win. “He’s a very experienced person and needs that kind of conditions to bowl which are present in this World Cup. I was surprised to see that he didn’t bowl in the first few matches.”
“But whenever Rashid has given the ball to him, he always picked wicket, like he that crucial wicket game against Bangladesh. Also, the way he bowled against Australia and the way he did showed he’s indeed Mr. Muscle Boy.”
Naib’s Popeye-styled celebrations mention elicits another chuckle from Ahmadzai. “I remember stopping him from doing this celebration many times. Like, ‘don’t do it when you’re taking very simple catches. It’s fine to do it once you get a crucial wicket or take a one-handed catch. Before the game against Bangladesh, I spoke to him and said, ‘You are free to do what you want to do’. His style of celebration has become very special in cricket.”
Ahmadzai recounted what he said to the celebrating Afghanistan team in the dressing room after securing the semifinal spot. “I said to them, ‘I just feel proud of you guys for the way you played on the field and never gave up’. Yes, we didn’t play very well in batting, but never gave up. During this tournament, I have always told them to believe all the time and just try to do their best. Irrespective of whatever happens, keep your head up and just focus on what you can do to your best.”
Afghanistan’s next challenge is facing the undefeated South Africa in the semifinals in Trinidad, with the chance to play the final in Barbados on June 29. “I think it’s a 50-50 game for us now. We never beat South Africa in any format. But again, I’m saying that we can beat South Africa and hope we can beat India in the final.”
“We tied one ODI match with India in Dubai in the 2018 Asia Cup, and we tied a T20I this year (in Bengaluru), where we twice played Super Overs. I was there on both occasions and so, the upcoming games are good opportunities for us. I know for lots of people, it looks very funny. But we can do it on a good day,” adds Ahmadzai.
Ahmadzai concedes that Afghanistan’s facilities are still a long way from meeting international standards. However, they have been fortunate in discovering talented individuals who require little effort to develop their skills. Furthermore, the exposure to various T20 leagues has had a huge impact on the current group of players from Afghanistan.
“If I were to say about cricket in Afghanistan, it’s like going from zero to hero. Like from where we came from and how we started playing cricket to now producing such wonderful cricketers. They have a very good demand at the world stage and all the franchises in various leagues want them to play for their teams.”
Merge the raw talent and desire to spread joy through cricket with the unwavering determination of the Afghan people, who have faced continuous hardships caused by political unrest, economic instability, and natural catastrophes over the past four decades.
What you get is a mentally tough attitude full of perseverance instilled in Rashid & Co, which keeps them in good stead, as they stand on the verge of taking Afghanistan cricket to more incredible achievements in the cricketing world.
“We are brave and mentally strong – like, someone has a family problem and they go back home. But when there have been problems for the last 40 years in your country and still you want to do something for them? That means we have very mentally strong people.”
“Sometimes when players are speaking in Pashto to our people, they just want to give a strong message and to let them know that we just want to make them happy and let’s celebrate something when we have the opportunity.”
“We never think for ourselves. I remember when we started playing cricket, for seven to eight years, we had nothing and were sleeping in the mosque. Mohammad Nabi is the big evidence of this. We were sleeping in the mosque.”
“There was no one to help us, no support, nothing from anyone, no family support. But we never gave up and now we can see what it has become today. It’s a totally different story now. Everyone is talking about Afghanistan cricket now, not only in the country but everywhere in the world,” signed off Ahmadzai.
–IANS
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Bridgetown (Barbados), June 29 (IANS) Ahead of facing South Africa in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup final, India batter Suryakumar Yadav said he is aware of the strengths he has and is backing himself to come good in the side’s quest to win the elusive trophy.
In this tournament so far, Suryakumar has scored 196 runs in seven innings at an average of 32.66, including hitting crucial half-centuries against the USA and Afghanistan. With Kensington Oval having a short square boundary on one side, Suryakumar will be expected to make the most of it.
“Excited by my role. Have always enjoyed it. Wind direction plays a big role here. Know what my strengths are and back myself. Back of the mind, it feels really good to know I have a good record against South Africa but you have to start afresh on the day. (Conversations last night) Sleep well, stay fresh, stay hydrated,” said Suryakumar in a pre-match chat with the broadcasters.
With India playing their third T20 World Cup final, Suryakumar admitted there is pressure of playing a big title clash. “Playing in the final is not easy. Easy to say it’s just another game, there is pressure. But if there is no pressure, there is no fun.”
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket broadcast feed, former England captain Nasser Hussain said he is expecting India to win the title clash and end their 11-year trophy drought.
“India’s batting line-up. Their pace attack. Their spinners. They have every base covered. And a slight advantage is that they have played a game here in Barbados and South Africa haven’t.”
“South Africa have got that monkey off their back of losing seven semifinals and if the pressure can be off, then it shifts to India. India have not won a title for a very long time. For all their resources and the players they have, they feel it is about time to win it and all of India will be expecting them to win it.”
Hussain also feels talismanic batter Virat Kohli should bat in his usual way. Kohli has amassed just 75 runs in eight innings as an opener alongside captain Rohit Sharma. “He can be the glue the other players bat around.”
“He suffered from batting on that tough New York pitch, and he has been in the nets trying to get the rhythm of batting. If he bats for three or four overs that timing comes back. And, in the end, in a big game, under pressure, who will India want? Kohli.”
–IANS
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Bridgetown (Barbados), June 29 (IANS) India won the toss and elected to bat first against South Africa in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval on Saturday. This is the first instance of two unbeaten teams facing off in a Men’s T20 World Cup final.
Kensington Oval has hosted eight matches of this tournament, with teams batting first winning three games, while teams batting second have also emerged victorious three times. The last two matches at this venue have been won by teams chasing.
After winning the toss, India captain Rohit Sharma said they are fielding an unchanged playing eleven from their 68-run victory over England in the semifinal in Guyana.
“Looks like a good pitch. We’ve played one game here, and the scores have been really good. Just about understanding individual roles, I know it’s a big occasion but it’s important to remain calm and play it like it’s another international game against a good team.”
“South Africa have played some good cricket but so have we. It’s going to be a really good game between two quality teams. Different individuals have stepped up at different times and that’s what we’re looking forward to today as well.”
Saturday’s final will be played on the pitch which previously hosted two games in the tournament: England-Scotland clash was washed out due to rain, while the Oman-Namibia game was a low-scoring affair which went into a Super Over, where Namibia won.
South Africa skipper Aiden Markram said he would have preferred to bat first as well. “The pitch looks dry. But we get the first crack with the ball so hopefully we can do well. At times we haven’t been at our best but we’ve still managed to win and we take confidence from that.”
“Perfect isn’t possible but we want to be as close as possible to that. There’s absolutely no pressure on us, we’ve never been in a final and we just want to enjoy it and be at our best.”
The two sides have met at the Men’s T20 World Cup on six occasions so far, with India winning four of those. The last time these two teams met in the Men’s T20 World Cup, South Africa won by five wickets at Perth.
India and South Africa have also faced off once in a Men’s T20 World Cup knockout match – the semifinal at Mirpur in 2014, where the MS Dhoni-led side won by six wickets. India are looking for its first T20 World Cup title since 2007, with a quest to win a global trophy running for over 11 years. South African men’s side are making their first World Cup final appearance.
Playing XIs:
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi
–IANS
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Kolkata, June 29 (IANS) Former India cricketers, Manoj Tiwary, Venkatesh Prasad and Narendra Hirwani have been roped in by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for their Vison 2028 project. As per a statement from CAB, the first phase of the project will get underway from June 30 till July 7.
Tiwary, who ended his playing career earlier this year during the Ranji Trophy with 10,195 first-class cricket runs, will be the batting coach. Prasad, who served as bowling coach in India’s 2007 Men’s T20 World Cup triumph in South Africa, will be the fast-bowling coach.
Hirwani, who took 16 wickets on his Test debut against the West Indies at Madras in 1987/88, will be taking charge of the spin-bowling department. The trio were present in a brainstorming session about ‘Vision 2028’ with the CAB office bearers led by President Snehasish Ganguly.
“The first phase will feature the U16 and U19 cricketers. While the short-term goal of the three wise men will be to get the various age group squads, including the Senior Bengal side, ready for the domestic season polishing their skills, the long-term goals will include ready the future talents and integrating them with various Bengal age-group squads,” said the CAB.
Also present in the session were Vice President Amalendu Biswas and Joint Secretary Debabrata Biswas, as well as various age group coaches in the state. Previously, the CAB had run a ‘Vision 2020’ project, which had India batting great VVS Laxman as the batting consultant and Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan as the spin bowling consultant.
–IANS
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New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) South African cricket yearns for its maiden ICC trophy as the Aiden Markram-led side makes its first-ever entry into the final, at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Barbados on Saturday. South Africa will face India at the Kensington Oval in what promises to be a cracking encounter as the two unbeaten teams will battle it out for the ultimate crown.
Ahead of the highly anticipated match, one of South Africa’s best-ever cricket players, AB de Villiers took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts about the game.
“The moment of truth has arrived. South Africans have been waiting for 33 years to see the Proteas play in an ICC World Cup final. After so many heartbreaks, we know all about them. South Africa will play India in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados on Saturday and I am backing the Proteas to win. It will be close as we all know India are a team of superstars but I believe South Africa’s time has come,” said De Villiers in a video posted on X.
The Proteas have been in top form through the course of the tournament and have beaten the likes of West Indies and England to storm their way to the semifinals of the World Cup where they decimated the Afghanistan batting lineup and bundled the side out for 56 runs and went on to win by nine wickets.
No side has ever gone unbeaten throughout the T20 World Cup but history will be written on Saturday South Africa face unbeaten opposition in India.
–IANS
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Sports
Badminton Asia Junior Championships: India book quarterfinal berth with 3-2 win over Philippines
New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) India sealed their spot in the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championship with a 3-2 win over the Philippines in a Group C clash at Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on Saturday.
The Indian team, which had blanked Vietnam 5-0 in their tournament opener, made a couple of changes to their line-up for their second outing in the event, with Rounak Chauhan replacing Pranay Shettigar in boy’s singles and K. Vennala combining with Shravani Walekar in girls’ doubles.
Senior National Championships runners-up, Tanvi Sharma started India’s march with a 21-9, 21-17 win over Funtespina Christel Rei but Chauhan could not maintain the momentum after winning the opening game against Jamal Rahmat Pandi and lost 15-21, 21-18, 21-12.
Vennala and Shravani then put India ahead once again as they defeated Hernandes Andrea and Pecious Libaton 23-21, 21–11 in 39 minutes. The boys’ doubles combination of Arsh Mohammad and Sankar Sarawat then put the result beyond doubt with a 21-16, 21-14 win over Christian Dorega and John Lanza.
The mixed doubles pair of Bhargav Ram Arigela and K. Vennala lost the final rubber.
India will now face hosts Indonesia to decide the group winner on Sunday. Indonesia are also through to the quarterfinal having beaten the Philippines 5-0 and Vietnam 4-1 in their two group matches.
Results:
India beat Philippines 3-2 (Tanvi Sharma bt Funtespina Christel Rei 21-9, 21-17; Rounak Chauhan lost to Jamal Rahmat Pandi 21-15, 18-21, 12-21; K. Vennala/Sharvani Walekar bt Hernandes Andrea/Precious Libaton 23-21, 21-11; Arsh Mohammad/Sankar Sarawat bt Christian Dorega/John Lanuza 21-16, 21-14; Bharav Ram Arigela/K Vennala lost to Jamal Pandi/Mary Untal 8-21, 15-21).
–IANS
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