BANGALORE: Those that were at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Feb. 18, 2015, will never forget that afternoon-evening as long as they live. Bangladesh against Afghanistan may not have been the most high-profile clash of the cricket World Cup, or even one of the closest — Bangladesh romped home by 105 runs — but the atmosphere had to be experienced to be believed.
Less than a decade earlier, Afghanistan inhabited the lower reaches of the World Cricket League. Even when they thrashed an MCC side led by Mike Gatting in Mumbai in March 2006, the mood around them was one of kindly indulgence. Few people took them seriously as cricketers. But less than nine years on, there they were at their first World Cup game, half a decade after they had graced a World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.
Though outnumbered by Bangladeshi fans in their tiger regalia, thousands of Afghan fans had journeyed from across Australia and beyond to watch history being made. And even though they lost control 30 overs into the game, the drums stayed beating right till the end.
Those drums have been alarmingly quiet over the past ten days, with one of the pre-tournament favorites at the World Cup qualifiers on the brink of missing out on a ticket to the big tent in England in the summer of 2019. Everything that could possibly go wrong for Afghanistan has, and only Nepal’s victory over Hong Kong allowed them to sneak into the Super Sixes. 
But if they lose against once-mighty West Indies on Thursday, unbeaten in their four group games, the Afghan dream — with zero points carried over from the league phase — will be as good as extinguished. And this with four players who attracted the attention of Indian Premier League scouts in the auction in January.
Even the draw for the qualifiers was kind to them. West Indies, world champions in 1975 and ‘79, and for whom failure to qualify would represent a death knell of sorts, were in the other group, as were Ireland, who upset one established nation in each of their three previous World Cup appearances. The Irish were also one of the few teams in the competition against whom Afghanistan have a losing record (7-9).
But kind draws do not win you matches, as Manchester United discovered at Old Trafford earlier this week. Afghanistan stumbled against a resurgent Scotland and then imploded spectacularly against a Zimbabwe side they had routed 4-1 in Sharjah just a month earlier. With almost 17 overs to be bowled, the Afghans needed just 41 to win with seven wickets in hand. But three wickets in a Sikander Raza over transformed the game, and the narrow defeat left them with a Kilimanjaro ascent to ponder.
They were then beaten by Hong Kong, whose strong Asian contingent stymied the impact of Rashid Khan, one of the IPL’s marquee signings. He finished wicketless, and the batsmen failed yet again when it came under scrutiny. Rashid, who led the side in the absence of Asghar Stanikzai, the captain whose own batting form has been so ordinary of late, offered
no excuses.
“We cannot play under pressure and cannot hold control of our nerves,” he said in a damning indictment of his teammates. “In pressure situations, we played irresponsible cricket. But I hope we will not repeat those shortcomings in future.”
It is not just pressure or even complacency that has left the Afghans on the brink though. With Rashid developing into a global star with his exploits in the Twenty20 arena, their attack has gradually become spin-dominated. The pace that could once terrify some Associate players isn’t really there any more.
Hamid Hassan, who hasn’t played an ODI in nearly two years, is sorely missed. With his Rambo headband, bustling action and searing pace, Hamid was one of the main reasons why Afghanistan quickly became so popular with the neutrals. Even at the World Cup, his three-wicket burst against Sri Lanka took them to the verge of a famous win before Thisara Perera’s beliigerent hitting took the game away.
Despite being recalled for the T20 format earlier this year, Hamid did not find a place in the squad for the qualifiers. The other pace bowlers have been largely disappointing, and they now have no room for error against a West Indies line-up in prime batting form.
Rashid led Afghanistan to a famous win in the Caribbean last year, and they also upset West Indies at the World T20 in 2016 — the only team to beat them as they won the title. But under pressure, and knowing that one slip means the death of the dream, it remains to be seen which Afghanistan will turn up. The stakes have never been higher.
Afghanistan have no room for error at Cricket World Cup Qualifier
Afghanistan have no room for error at Cricket World Cup Qualifier
Al-Ahli survive first-half scare to cruise to victory and tie Al-Hilal at the top of Saudi Pro League
- Al-Ahli draw level with league leaders Al-Hilal on 53 points after trailing 1-0 down at half-time
- Al-Ettifaq and Al-Fateh play out seven-goal thriller in Dammam
DAMMAM: Matchday 23 kicked began with what ultimately became a comfortable victory for Al-Ahli over relegation-battling Al-Najma at home. However, the hosts endured a tough first 45 minutes, falling 1-0 behind and missing a penalty before scoring four in the second half against the 10-man visitors.
Al-Najma — fresh off their first victory in Saudi Pro League history when they beat Al-Kholood last week — arrived in Jeddah with confidence. Despite facing an in-form Al-Ahli, they controlled the tempo early on, forcing the hosts play on the back foot for much of the opening half hour.
The architect of Al-Najma’s bright start was Néstor El Maestro, returning to the Saudi Pro League for the first time in five years. After guiding the club to their first win in 21 matches, a result in Al-Ahli’s backyard would have provided the perfect reignite their survival bid.
El Maestro once said, “Life is too short to spend defending in a low block”, during his time at relegation-battling Göztepe in the Turkish Süper Lig in 2022. That philosophy defined Al-Najma’s bold approach against the reigning Asian Champions League Elite and Saudi Super Cup holders.
Initially, the strategy paid off. Davd Tijanić beat two Al-Ahli defenders with a deft move on the left flank in the 27th minute before releasing Lázaro, who finished past Édouard Mendy to hand the visitors a surprise lead.
Al-Ahli immediately pushed for an equaliser. Ivan Toney was brought down in the box in the 29th minute, only for the referee to wave away penalty appeals. Moments later, a handball inside Al-Najma’s area led to a lengthy VAR review and eventually a spot-kick for the hosts.
Toney, seeking his 21st goal of the campaign and boasting a perfect record from the spot for Al-Ahli, saw his penalty saved by Victor Braga. He pounced on the rebound, but Braga recovered to claim the ball and preserve the lead.
Braga continued to frustrate the hosts with several key saves before clashing into an opponent on the verge of half-time. The referee initially awarded a second penalty to Al-Ahli, but after a VAR review overturned the decision, Al-Najma went into the break still in front.
Al-Ahli knew a victory was essential on a pivotal weekend, with city rivals Al-Ittihad facing Al-Hilal in a clash that could influence the title race. Their response after the interval was swift, with Riyad Mahrez delivering a dipping cross that was met by Valentin Atangana, who headed in the equaliser.
Atangana was fouled ten minutes later, when Felippe Cardoso pushed him in the face. The Brazilian striker, already booked, received his marching orders from the referee.
With a numerical advantage, Al-Ahli asserted control. Roger Ibañez picked out Mahrez with a measured long pass over the top. The Algerian cushioned a first-time lay-off into Toney’s path, and the English striker finished clinically in the 69th minute.
Toney added his second of the evening — and 22nd of the season — in the 87th minute, meeting Matheus Gonçalves’ cross at the far post with a first-time finish. The Englishman completed his hat-trick in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Al-Najma conceded their second penalty of the night.
The win moves Al-Ahli level on points with Al-Hilal on 53 points, awaiting their game later this week. Meanwhile, El Maestro’s task with Al-Najma grows more difficult, as Al-Riyadh’s 2-0 victory over Al-Kholood in Qassim leaves Al-Najma eight points adrift of safety.
Elsewhere, Al-Ettifaq and Al-Fateh produced one of the season’s most entertaining encounters in an Eastern Province derby. Al-Ettifaq raced into a 3-0 lead inside 36 minutes, with goals from Khalid Al-Ghannam and Georginio Wijnaldum putting them firmly in control.
North African duo Mourad Batna and Sofiane Bendebka dragged Al-Fateh back into the contest with goals on either side of stoppage time in the first half. Madallah Al-Olayan restored Al-Ettifaq’s cushion in 48th minute, but Batna struck again in the 71st minute to set up a tense finale.
After seven goals in a back-and-forth thriller, Al-Ettifaq held on for a 4-3 victory in Dammam.
Saudi Pro League action resumes on Friday, with Al-Okhdood hosting Al-Qadsiah, Al-Taawoun welcoming Al-Fayha and Al-Shabab travelling to Khamis Mushait to face Damac. All games kick off at 10:00pm in the league’s unified Ramadan schedule.
