Reasons why Afghanistan continue to dominate 2023 World Cup

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FE Team | Published: October 31, 2023 23:44:52

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Continuing with their mission of making it their most memorable World Cup, Afghanistan registered their third win by beating Sri Lanka in Pune on Monday, report agencies.
Afghanistan chased a modest 242-run target in 45.2 overs making it a slow-burner of a match. With this win, Afghanistan have gone up to the fifth spot with six points, while Sri Lanka have dropped a place below to sixth position. A clinical 4-34 by left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, followed by half-centuries by Rahmat Shah, skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai propelled Afghanistan to a 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka at the MCA Stadium in Gahunje.
Let's look what has kept them ticking this World Cup?
From a single victory across two World Cups to a triumphant three wins in this edition, Afghanistan are red hot and on a roll. The team, known for its giant-killing reputation, is now truly living up to its name, and there couldn't be a more significant stage for this transformation than the World Cup 2023. What sets this team apart is the marked difference in their method. They no longer succumb to pressure situations, and the aura of facing more prominent teams doesn't faze them. It's simply a consistent display of clinical performance, one after the other. After causing what might be considered the most significant upset of the tournament by defeating England, they only continued to impress, first slaying Pakistan and then adding Sri Lanka to their hitlist.
Afghanistan have become the talk of the cricketing world, and for good reason. Their series of spirited performances against the reigning World Champions and two Asian powerhouses is a testament to how far they've come. Formidable top three
Ibrahim Zadran has 212 runs from six innings - more than Babar Azam, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith - and his partnership with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who himself has scored 224 runs - has led this resurgence from the front. Their partnerships for the opening wicket have read 47, 114, 130 allowing Afghanistan to seize an early advantage. Add to that Rahmat Shah at No. 3 with another 212 runs - and Afghanistan's recipe for success starts with their top order.
Trott and Jadeja effect
Recognising the newfound confidence of Afghanistan's batters wouldn't be complete without acknowledging the pivotal role played by their coaching staff. Coach Jonathan Trott and mentor Ajay Jadeja, both esteemed for their tactical prowess during their playing careers, have brought a wealth of match awareness and a dash of street-smart intelligence, producing remarkable results.
As for Jadeja, his last-minute inclusion was aimed at acclimating Afghanistan to the Indian conditions. The team's abundance of talent was never in doubt, but the key was nurturing it effectively and translating it into on-field success, a task that Jadeja seamlessly facilitated.
Give it up for Hashmatullah Shahidi
Afghanistan have been led by Hashmatullah Shahidi for a while, but his game awareness and captaincy skills have truly come to the forefront in this World Cup. But his game awareness and captaincy skills have truly come to the forefront in this World Cup. Not only has he made significant contributions with the bat, scoring 80 against India, an unbeaten 48 against Pakistan, and another 58 not out against Sri Lanka, but some of his strategic decisions have even outshone those of the best captains in the tournament.
For instance, in the match against India, an alert Shahidi played an audacious shot during his initially steady innings, attempting to hit a ball through the cow corner. The seemingly frustrated wild swing left everyone surprised, but it was not without some quick calculations.
Afghanistan jump to fifth
position on the points table
The Afghans kept their chances of making the semifinals with a thumping seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka. This was the team's third win in the tournament, which took its points tally to six.