Why is the Afghanistan team a treat to watch in T20 cricket?

 By K.R. Nayar

Afghanistan players have most of the traits needed to win T20 matches like aggression, determination, devotion to put in everything on the field, and put up a fight till the end. All these were on display in the first match of the T20 series against Zimbabwe today (Wednesday) which they won by 48 runs at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Afghanistan is truly an exciting team to watch in T20 cricket. Their approach to the game adds excitement to this T20 format, and this came to the fore today (Wednesday) during their 48 runs win over Zimbabwe in the first match of the three-T20 International Series at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Afghanistan players have almost all qualities that makes a good T20 player. They are aggressive and determined. They enjoy defying odds to prove themselves as excellent fighters. Their players put in everything to win matches, be it fielding, bowling or batting. This attitude of doing everything possible on the field makes up for the drawbacks in their skills and lack of experience.

In the first match of the T20 series, Afghanistan lost the toss and Zimbabwe promptly elected to bowl first. This venue has been friendlier to teams bowling first because in the 44 T20 Internationals played here, 25 have been won by teams that chased the target. Afghanistan did what was needed to be done if put into bat first by producing a breezy start. Nineteen-year-old Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who has already proven to be one of the finest hitters in the game, cracked 87 runs off just 45 balls with seven sixes and six boundaries. Together with opening partner Karim Janat, he put on 80 runs in 7.6 overs. In the first ten overs Afghanistan posted 108 for 1, which virtually wiped away all of Zimbabwe’s advantage of electing to bowl first.

Breezy opening partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Karim Janat

Then all that Afghanistan had to do was to build on this quick start and post a big total. This plan was brilliantly executed by skipper Asghar Afghan after his younger brother Janat fell for 26 runs. Afghan went on to crack 55 off 38 balls with six boundaries and two sixes.

Zimbabwe skipper Sean Williams, after winning the toss, had said that “150-160 should be a par score here.” Afghanistan made sure they crossed the 150 run mark in the 14th over. In the end Zimbabwe could muster only 150 for 7 against Afghanistan’s 198 for 5. The only solace for Zimbabwe may have been that Afghanistan did not cross the 200 run mark, and that was mainly due to some tight bowling by Zimbabwe in the end.  In the last five overs, Afghanistan could pick only 42 runs and also lost three wickets.

Afghanistan seem to be learning how to demonstrate their supremacy and gain psychological advantage over their opponents. Gurbaz’s half century in 26 balls and Afghan reaching his half century through a well struck six off Blessing Muzarabani over deep mid-wicket are expressions of their strength. Even Rashid Khan’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni-like helicopter shot that went for a six was another such act.

Chasing a huge total needs a good start and Zimbabwe should have ensured that atleast eight runs were scored in every over from the start. But Afghanistan ensured that did not happen. By the tenth over, it was evident that Zimbabwe would find it tough to reach the target as they could muster only 82 in the first ten overs compared to Afghanistan’s 108 in the same number of overs. Afghanistan then introduced their ace spinner Rashid Khan, and he bowled an economical spell of 3 for 28 to destroy Zimbabwe’s hopes.

Rashid Khan... another fine spell  

By winning their first match without their regular players like Gulbadin Naib and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, due to delays in getting visas, Afghanistan has announced that they can be a challenging team. In January this year, Afghanistan had recorded a clean 3-0 sweep over Ireland in a One-day series in Abu Dhabi. If they continue to display their never-say-die spirit, one can expect them to keep climbing up the ICC rankings in the future with more victories over better ranked teams.