Afghanistan’s Test debut in cricket, though not memorable, is nothing to be laughed at. There have been matches where teams and their stalwarts have been done and dusted in almost 48 hours. India should be complimented for hosting this debut match, in Bengaluru, despite its tall standing in international cricket. India’s crushing score is bound to have shattered the morale of the visitors. However, all is not lost (‘Sport’ page, “Done and dusted in just two days”, June 16).
R.M. Manoharan,
Chennai
Afghanistan’s unfortunate predicament should be attributed more to their cricket officials and the International Cricket Council for reversing the normally adopted order of play in the game. Is it not a great folly that an untested Test cricket greenhorn was made to take on a top team in its maiden debut? Basic techniques such as straight bat, sound footwork, and an ability to read and adjust to the pitch are built into the longer version of the game. Hitting fours and sixes will follow later with practice. All well-established cricketing countries have started in this sequence: Test, ODIs and then Twenty-20.
Of late, the ICC and cricket boards seem to have only money in mind. It will be interesting to see how long the Afghans adjust to constructing an innings, brick by brick. In fact, they should have taken on Kenya, Ireland or the Netherlands first.
Bellur S. Dattatri,
Bengaluru
