Cricket has always been more than just a sport in the subcontinent. It is a blend of passion, culture, and an undying spirit that transcends boundaries. One of the most fascinating narratives in modern cricket has been the rise of the Afghanistan national cricket team. From war-torn beginnings to achieving full membership in the International Cricket Council (ICC), Afghanistan’s cricketing journey is nothing short of inspirational. Among their notable encounters, the matches against the powerhouse Indian national cricket team stand out, providing moments of thrilling competition and showcasing the remarkable growth of Afghan cricket.
This article delves into the detailed scorecards and analyses of key matches between the Afghanistan national cricket team and the India national cricket team, reflecting the competitive spirit and evolving dynamics of these encounters.
The First Encounter: Asia Cup 2014
Match Summary
Date: March 5, 2014
Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
Afghanistan Innings
- Total: 159 all out in 45.2 overs
- Top Scorers:
- Asghar Afghan: 90 runs off 111 balls
- Noor Ali Zadran: 31 runs off 35 balls
- Indian Bowling:
- Ravindra Jadeja: 10-2-30-4
- R Ashwin: 10-0-31-3
India Innings
- Total: 160/2 in 32.2 overs
- Top Scorers:
- Ajinkya Rahane: 56 runs off 66 balls
- Shikhar Dhawan: 60 runs off 78 balls
- Afghan Bowling:
- Dawlat Zadran: 8-0-36-1
- Mohammad Nabi: 7-0-45-1
Analysis
India’s dominance in this match was evident through both their bowling and batting performances. Afghanistan showed promise with Asghar Afghan’s fighting innings, but their total of 159 was insufficient to challenge India’s strong batting lineup. The match highlighted the gap between the two teams but also displayed the potential in Afghan cricket.
The Historic Test: June 2018
Match Summary
Date: June 14-18, 2018
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
India First Innings
- Total: 474 all out
- Top Scorers:
- Shikhar Dhawan: 107 runs off 96 balls
- Murali Vijay: 105 runs off 153 balls
- Hardik Pandya: 71 runs off 94 balls
- Afghan Bowling:
- Yamin Ahmadzai: 26-5-51-3
- Wafadar: 21-0-100-2
Afghanistan First Innings
- Total: 109 all out
- Top Scorers:
- Mohammad Nabi: 24 runs off 44 balls
- Hashmatullah Shahidi: 11 runs off 24 balls
- Indian Bowling:
- Ravichandran Ashwin: 7.5-2-27-4
- Ishant Sharma: 7-2-28-2
Afghanistan Second Innings
- Total: 103 all out
- Top Scorers:
- Mohammad Nabi: 24 runs off 44 balls
- Hashmatullah Shahidi: 36 runs off 88 balls
- Indian Bowling:
- Ravindra Jadeja: 6.3-2-18-4
- Umesh Yadav: 6-0-17-3
Analysis
This Test match was historic as it marked Afghanistan’s debut in Test cricket. Despite their enthusiasm and spirit, the Afghan team was overwhelmed by the experienced Indian side. India’s batsmen capitalized on the opportunity, with centuries from Dhawan and Vijay setting a formidable total. The Afghan batsmen struggled against the quality of Indian spin, leading to a comprehensive victory for India by an innings and 262 runs.
World Cup 2019 Thriller
Match Summary
Date: June 22, 2019
Venue: The Rose Bowl, Southampton
India Innings
- Total: 224/8 in 50 overs
- Top Scorers:
- Virat Kohli: 67 runs off 63 balls
- Kedar Jadhav: 52 runs off 68 balls
- Afghan Bowling:
- Mohammad Nabi: 9-0-33-2
- Gulbadin Naib: 10-0-51-2
Afghanistan Innings
- Total: 213/10 in 49.5 overs
- Top Scorers:
- Mohammad Nabi: 52 runs off 55 balls
- Rahmat Shah: 36 runs off 63 balls
- Indian Bowling:
- Jasprit Bumrah: 10-1-39-2
- Mohammad Shami: 9.5-1-40-4 (including a hat-trick)
Analysis
The 2019 World Cup encounter was one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament. Afghanistan came very close to pulling off a major upset against India. India’s total of 224 seemed modest, but Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling kept them in the game. Mohammad Nabi’s all-round performance gave India a scare, but Mohammad Shami’s hat-trick in the final over secured a narrow 11-run victory for India. This match showcased Afghanistan’s rapid improvement and their ability to challenge top-tier teams.
Asia Cup 2018: A Nail-Biting Tie
Match Summary
Date: September 25, 2018
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Afghanistan Innings
- Total: 252/8 in 50 overs
- Top Scorers:
- Mohammad Shahzad: 124 runs off 116 balls
- Mohammad Nabi: 64 runs off 56 balls
- Indian Bowling:
- Ravindra Jadeja: 10-0-46-3
- Kuldeep Yadav: 10-0-38-2
India Innings
- Total: 252/10 in 49.5 overs
- Top Scorers:
- KL Rahul: 60 runs off 66 balls
- Ambati Rayudu: 57 runs off 49 balls
- Afghan Bowling:
- Rashid Khan: 10-0-41-2
- Mohammad Nabi: 10-1-40-2
Analysis
The Asia Cup 2018 match between India and Afghanistan ended in a thrilling tie. Mohammad Shahzad’s explosive century set a competitive total for Afghanistan. India’s chase was on track with contributions from KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu, but Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, managed to restrict India in a nail-biting finish. This match further demonstrated Afghanistan’s resilience and their ability to perform under pressure against strong opposition.
T20 Encounters: World T20 2012 and 2010
World T20 2012
Match Summary
Date: September 19, 2012
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Afghanistan Innings
- Total: 136/10 in 19.3 overs
- Top Scorers:
- Mohammad Nabi: 31 runs off 17 balls
- Karim Sadiq: 26 runs off 26 balls
- Indian Bowling:
- Lakshmipathy Balaji: 3.3-0-19-3
- Yuvraj Singh: 4-0-24-3
India Innings
- Total: 159/5 in 20 overs
- Top Scorers:
- Virat Kohli: 50 runs off 39 balls
- Suresh Raina: 38 runs off 33 balls
- Afghan Bowling:
- Mohammad Nabi: 4-0-26-1
- Shapoor Zadran: 4-0-33-1
Analysis
In the World T20 2012 encounter, India’s batting strength was on display with contributions from Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina. Afghanistan’s innings showed flashes of brilliance but were unable to sustain the momentum, resulting in a comprehensive win for India by 23 runs. The match highlighted India’s experience in the shortest format while showcasing Afghanistan’s potential.
World T20 2010
Match Summary
Date: May 1, 2010
Venue: Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia
Afghanistan Innings
- Total: 115/8 in 20 overs
- Top Scorers:
- Noor Ali Zadran: 50 runs off 48 balls
- Asghar Afghan: 30 runs off 33 balls
- Indian Bowling:
- Ashish Nehra: 4-0-19-3
- Harbhajan Singh: 4-1-24-1
India Innings
- Total: 116/3 in 14.5 overs
- Top Scorers:
- Murali Vijay: 48 runs off 46 balls
- Yuvraj Singh: 23 runs off 21 balls
- Afghan Bowling:
- Hamid Hassan: 3-0-20-1
- Dawlat Ahmadzai: 4-0-30-1
Analysis
The World T20 2010 match was Afghanistan’s introduction to the global stage. Despite a valiant effort, their total of 115 was not enough to challenge the Indian batting lineup. India chased down the target comfortably, winning by 7 wickets. This match was a learning experience for Afghanistan and a testament to India’s established prowess in T20 cricket.
FAQS
1. When did Afghanistan and India first face each other in an official cricket match?
Afghanistan and India first faced each other in an official cricket match during the Asia Cup on March 5, 2014. The match took place at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2. What was significant about the 2018 Test match between Afghanistan and India?
The 2018 Test match between Afghanistan and India was significant because it was Afghanistan’s debut in Test cricket. The match, held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, resulted in a comprehensive victory for India by an innings and 262 runs.
3. How did the 2019 World Cup match between Afghanistan and India conclude?
The 2019 World Cup match between Afghanistan and India was a thrilling encounter that India narrowly won by 11 runs. India scored 224/8, and Afghanistan managed 213/10 in 49.5 overs, with Mohammad Shami taking a hat-trick in the final over to secure the victory for India.
4. What was the result of the Asia Cup 2018 match between Afghanistan and India?
The Asia Cup 2018 match between Afghanistan and India ended in a dramatic tie. Both teams scored 252 runs in their respective innings, with Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad scoring a century and India’s KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu contributing significant runs.
5. Who were the top performers in the World T20 2012 match between Afghanistan and India?
In the World T20 2012 match between Afghanistan and India, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina were the top performers for India with scores of 50 and 38, respectively. For Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi contributed significantly with both bat and ball, scoring 31 runs and taking 1 wicket for 26 runs. India won the match by 23 runs.
Conclusion
The encounters between the Afghanistan national cricket team and the India national cricket team have been a mixture of dominance, thrilling finishes, and remarkable performances. Each match tells a story of growth, resilience, and the ever-evolving dynamics of international cricket. Afghanistan’s journey from cricketing underdogs to competitive challengers is inspiring, and their matches against India have played a significant role in this narrative. As both teams continue to develop, fans can look forward to more exciting and competitive clashes in the future.
