Dubai: Afghanistan are the winners of the Asia Cup in many ways. They may have failed to reach the final, but they have won the hearts of every cricket fan here — walking with their heads held high to show they are a power in One Day International cricket.
After holding India to a ‘tie’ on Tuesday night, Afghanistan skipper Asghar Afghan spoke like a winning captain would speak after the final. “A really proud moment for my team and me,” he said. “We’ve played good cricket in Asia Cup. The way we’ve finished today, I am proud. Credit goes to the guys,” added Afghan.
Though Indians rested five of their top players, most members of the team except for their pacers debutant Deepak Chahar, Siddarth Kaul and Khaleel Ahmad, have played more international cricket than most Afghanistan players. “When you tie with a team like India, it’s like winning. They [India] usually chase easily. It is good for the fans as well,” said Afghan, who changed his name from Asghar Stanikzai to Asghar Afghan, stating that “we are known as Afghans all over the world and it is our national duty to honour and protect our national identity.”
Afghanistan made up for their lack of experience by playing gutsy cricket. Opener Mohammad Shahzad, the Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batsman, stunned the Indians by hammering a 116-ball 124, with 11 fours and seven sixes. Mohammad Nabi’s 56-ball 64 too helped Afghanistan to a fighting total of 252 for 8. “Every time we have asked him, Shahzad has done the job for us. He played well in the last game too but today he was the real Shahzad. I give him a lot of credit for his knock. On this type of track, Shahzad played very positive cricket. What we saw today was the real Shahzad. Unfortunately, it came in the last match,” said Afghan.
Shahzad, adjudged the man of the match, is disappointed that his stupendous knock did not produce a result. “I’m not very happy, we have slogged for six hours in the hot weather at the ground without result. It’s not fair. I am happy with the performance of the team. I had planned to hit every ball today because we are leaving tomorrow. We have a flight [to Afghanistan], so I thought of playing my game freely. I am feeling proud, because I have played an innings like this against the best side in Asia. I haven’t played well throughout the tournament, but I am happy that I played well in this one.”
Elaborating on his innings, Shahzad said: “I just played my natural game. Though we have been coming here and we know the conditions, it is very difficult because it is too hot. The coach and captain told me to stay at the wicket and play my natural game. I just went there and played my natural game. The wicket was too flat and I just said to myself that it will be my day.”
