Rugged unforgiving terrain, lurking danger, armed warlords, kalashnikovs, terror strikes... Afghanistan brings to mind strong, often disturbing, images.
Bombs snuff out hopes, end lives. Yet, amidst all the devastation and suffering, cricket, miraculously, has not just survived but grown in Afghanistan.
The game means much to to the country. Cricket puts a smile on countless faces, lifts morale, gives Afghans the right to dream.
Afghanistan cricket, a stunning tale of courage and passion under adversity, is now the real deal — a unifying force in a strife-torn nation.
It will be a historic moment for the country when it takes on India in the one-off Test here from Thursday. Afghanistan has earned its right to play the longest and the most prestigious form of the game.
Feisty bunch
Its cricketers are a feisty bunch which, given the security concerns, does not have the luxury of playing at home; the Afghans compete ‘away’ and India is their adopted ‘home’ where they prepare and train.
None symbolises the Afghanistan spirit better than bubbly leg-spinner Rashid Khan. He gambols in the park, now laughing, now conquering.
Rashid bamboozles batsmen with his turn, bounce and variations. For someone so young, his maturity is astonishing. He carries lightly the weight of expectations.
Only last month, a blast left eight spectators dead and dozens injured in a stadium at Jalalabad, Rashid’s hometown.
His mind must have battled myriad emotions but the leg-spinner continued to play with heart and considerable skill in the IPL. Beneath the affable exterior, he’s tough..
Even before figuring in its first ever Test, Afghanistan arguably possesses the most promising spin attack in world cricket. Accompanying Rashid will be the fascinating Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the 17-year-old ‘mystery’ finger spinner from Khost.
He is hard to read, appears to have the temperament to complement his immense ability. Mujeeb will be watched with interest.
Then there is Zahir Khan, another teenager, who has caught the attention with his fizzy left-arm wrist spin. It’s an exciting bunch.
Off-spinning all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has had his successes too. If the ball turns at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Afghans will be in business.
Inherent honesty
There is an inherent honesty about these cricketers. The manner they go about their job, celebrate seems a throwback to another era — so much earthiness and joy are on view.
Just look at the rotund Mohammad Shahzad, a daring wicketkeeper-batsman unfazed by big names. He strikes the ball with power, disrupts bowling plans, and ’keeps with efficiency if not style. Shahzad throbs with life on the field.
And leading the side will be Asghar Stanikzai, a middle-order batsman whose waiting game will suit Test cricket. He’s experienced and calm.
The Afghans have a flair for the game. The volatile Shahid Afridi, a game-changer for Pakistan, comes from the Khyber region and belongs to the Afridi tribe of Pashtuns who have their roots in Afghanistan.
When they enter the arena here on Thursday, these bravehearts will have the cricketing fraternity on its feet, applauding.
