When
the Under-19 World Cup started and all the major teams lined up to give their
best, never did we realize that this world cup is going to see some of the
greatest teams being beaten and the under dogs clinching victories. What
started as a mediocre tournament for the Afghan boys after their loss to the
Bangladesh side, turned out to be something extra-ordinary, as they beat
Australia and Namibia to make it to the quarter-finals.
Their
first victory came in the form of a brilliant counter-attack by these young
boys against a strong Australian attack. The Mohammad Mujtaba led batting order
performed consistently and put up a mammoth score of 253 with solid help from
both Ihsanullah and Hashmatullah Shaidi who scored half centuries. The bowling
attack was also brilliant with Abdullah Adil and Sharafuddin Ashraf scalping
four and three wickets respectively. The Australian batting order crumbled
under the disciplined bowling and scored 217.
In
the match against Naminia, Afghanistan had an easy outing, winning the match
easily and with confidence, thereby making it to the quarter-finals.
Mohammad
Mujtaba won the Man of the Match in both the successful outings. It was very
heartening to watch the young boys perform with so much of elegance,
professionalism and confidence. The under dogs are now on their way to make
glory. Will they make history this time around?
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