“The whole country will be happy and proud with this win,” said Shahidi. Happy and proud? They’ll be delirious. This is up there with the most blighted countries on the planet. Just on Saturday,it was struck by the latest of a series of earthquakes,killing thousands,and that’s before we get to the Taliban. Now the earth shook in Delhi,too.
“The belief is there,the trust is there,and the talent is also there,” said Shahidi. “Last couple of games,we did not finish well.”
Was it any wonder? As a country,you haven’t been an international for as long as David Warner (and your women’s team has to hide out in another country). Your only other win in the World Cup was over Scotland in 2015. Most of your players don’t live in Afghanistan and ply their trade in T20 tournaments here,there and everywhere. This is the wonder.
“Unfortunately,we had back-to-back wickets again today,” said Shahidi. “We have to think about that.” Yes,but before them,Rahmanullah Gurbaz tore about the England attack,making 80 from 57 balls,and after he was run out there was a subsidence,but the rest of the batting toughed it out to make 284,which at least gave you a stake in the game. You never know what might constitute a winning score in India.
“The Bairstow wicket was very important,” said Shahidi. Bairstow? They all were. Your bevy of clever spinners picked England apart,foremost of course Rashid Khan,whose whiles,guiles and smiles are well known,especially to South Australians.
As the world watched and the wickets tumbled,the idea of what you might accomplish here visibly grew on all your faces until at last it was realised. “Looking forward to the rest of the tournament,” said Shahidi. “Hopefully we can be positive.” Frankly,you can be whatever you like,because you won’t top this night. That said,no one will relish playing you.