The story of Afghan Cricket

It was the year 1995 when Afghanistan started its cricket journey.the journey of Afghanistan as a cricketing nation was full of hardships.country went through a lot but it didn't changed The attitude of Afghanistan players when they play always makes them stand apart.

Afghanistan registered their maiden test win few weeks back when they beat Ireland by 7 wickets in Dehradun which is their official home ground. This was just their second test match and they declared themselves as one of the most talented side in years to come. They are the 12th test nation and awarded ‘test status’ only in June 2017 alongside Ireland. Their first test match was against strong indian side. Although they lost the match in Bangalore in 2018, they did announce their appearance well.

The attitude of Afghanistan players always portrays that they are not here only to participate. They are very much interested in the win and give their best efforts for the same.

When Afghanistan started its journey back in 1995, nobody would have thought they will become a test playing nation. The Afghanistan Cricket Board was formed in 1995. But it did take time for Afghanistan to take that leap. In 2001 they became an associate member of International Cricket Council. In 2006 they finished third in the ACC Trophy defeating Nepal in the play-off. The in 2008 they won the Division Five of the World Cricket League. Then a roller coaster journey started for Afghanistan.In the same year, they went on to win the Division Four of the same league. The next year they won the Division three and although they failed to qualify for the 2011 World Cup, but nevertheless they earned their ODI status. The same year saw them playing their first ODI against Scotland in the ICC Qualifier 5th place playoff. They won the match by 89 runs. In 2012 they played their first ODI against a full member cricket nation, Pakistan. For consistency and gradual improvement they were rewarded with the Associate Member status in the next year after Hong Kong (1969), Kuwait (2005), Malaysia (1967), Nepal (1996), Singapore (1974), Thailand (2005) and UAE (1990). The next year saw them qualify for the 2015 World Cup.It was there came a historic moment when they beat scotland in dunedin and they regester their first world cup win. This match transformed ODI cricket in Afghanistan. This the breakthrough required for them. Since then it has been a extraordinary ODI journey for Afghanistan. Till date out of 111 ODI matches, Afghanistan has won 57 matches and lost 50.Since then it was just a matter of time for the new ‘cricket crazy nation’ to acquire the test status in 2017. never ignore their passion of playing cricket. This spirit has been the USP of Afghanistan cricket. Their zeal of playing cricket has been the sole factor of what they have earned till date in cricket.  BCCI has added some assistance to give wings to their never-ending enthusiasm.

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