By: Mahi Mishra
June 8, 2024 at 2:43 PM
Afghanistan which was known as underdog cricket team, is no more a weak team. As they defeated England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in ODI World Cup 2023 and now they defeated New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2024.
Before heading to the insights let's have a look on their history of Cricket World Cup.
History of Afghanistan Cricket Team
Cricket was first time played in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1839. In 1990s, cricket became popular amongst Afghans, and the Afghanistan Cricket Federation was formed in 1995. Afghanistan elected as affiliate member of the ICC in 2008, and full time membership in 2014.
In 2015, Afghanistan qualified for the ICC World Cup 2015 for the first time, they earned official One Day International status in April 2009.
Story of 2023 World Cup
Afghanistan rise has started from ODI World Cup 2023 when they first defeated England by 69 runs at Arun Jaitley Stadium. It was a historic day for Afghanistan.
It was the moment when world united with Afghanistan and praised as they defeated ODI WC defending champion England.
After playing against England Afghanistan came on the field to play against Pakistan when everyone was hoping for Afghanistan victory over Pakistan especially Indian.
Result they ended up winning against Pakistan by 8 wickets, and this was like a pre Diwali gift to Indian as they enjoyed the most or more than Afghans.
However Afghanistan emergence has started from the clash against Pakistan as before ODI WC 2023 India and Pakistan was known as best team from Asia but after Afghanistan emergence in WC 2023, they become a well known and strong country from Asia.
Well, Pakistan is still in a top list of good teams of Asia but it's Afghanistan who emerged as a strong and challenging cricket team.
After defeating Pakistan, Afghanistan has defeated 1996 ODI WC champions Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan victories was a significant achievement for all, and Afghanistan's mentor Ajay Jadeja, was extremely pleased with the team's success.
Story of Afghanistan before 2023 World Cup
Before 2023, Afghanistan has secured only one victory in two World Cup tournaments after their qualification in 2015.
Now, they have defeated three ODI World Cup champions Pakistan, England, and Sri Lanka.
The progress has been sensational, what Afghanistan has done in 25 years, from bottom of the table to qualifying for the semis.
Afghanistan was much closer to qualify for the 2023 World Cup semis, but they ended up losing against Australia with a rare losing chance, Afghanistan was losing it's wicket then Glenn Maxwell stood tall against Afghanistan and defeated them 3 wickets.
Not only winning was a victory for Afghanistan but also scoring big totals against team like India, Australia was also a achievement.
Dominance of Afghanistan
Afghanistan was the only team during ODI World Cup 2023 who scored highest total against India, they scored 272 runs against India.
Now Afghanistan has defeated New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2024, it was a great victory for Afghanistan and a biggest upset for New Zealand.
Afghanistan scored 159 runs against New Zealand with fall of 6 wickets and New Zealand failed to chase as Afghanistan bowled out New Zealand for 75 runs only.
Clearly, Afghanistan is a strong team in Asia and they will hope to continue their dominance in upcoming days and will keep rising their flag on high.
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