Afghanistan were the underdogs in this campaign of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, although the Afghanistan cricket team didn’t start their campaign well as they lost their first game against a weaker Bangladesh side who were better on that particular day.
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The Afghanistan cricket team then got bullied by the best team of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the Indian cricket team. Afghanistan scored 272/8 by the end of 50 overs, and in reply, the Indian team chased down the target easily in 35 overs and won the match by 8 wickets, but now the Afghanistan cricket team started to deliver and live up to the expectations of the fans as the Afghanistan cricket team defeated England in the very next match.
Afghanistan made 284 runs on the board, and in reply, England could only manage to score 215/10 in 40.5 overs. This match didn’t only display Afghanistan’s decent enough batting performance but also their exceptional bowling performance in crucial moments. Although the Afghanistan cricket team got thrashed by the New Zealand team and lost the match by 149 runs.
The Afghanistan team didn’t drop off their shoulders and snatched a win against Pakistan, taking revenge for the Asia Cup as well. Afghanistan chased down the target of 283 runs in 49 overs and won the match by 8 wickets, which showcased the ability of the Afghanistan cricket team to chase down the target as well.
Afghanistan won their next two matches against Sri Lanka and the Netherlands quite comfortably by chasing down the target and winning the match by 7 wickets. Afghanistan cricket team semifinal hopes were looking realistic, but they still needed to face Australia next, who were shining in big moments and made a comeback to climb up the table and finish in the top 4.
Afghanistan put up a target of 292 runs on the board and almost pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament by taking quick wickets, destroying Australia’s batting order as Australia were 91/7, but the dropped catches of Glenn Maxwell turned out to be a nightmare for Afghanistan as it was an undisputed magical 201 run innings from Maxwell, who was supported by Pat Cummins from another end as a wicket saver, and hopes for Afghanistan’s semifinal were almost over.
The Afghanistan cricket team lost their last match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign against South Africa by 5 wickets with 15 balls remaining. No one even expected Afghanistan to be this threatening as a team, but a lack of experience and a tactical game plan under pressure cost Afghanistan games at big moments.
What’s next for the Afghanistan cricket team?
Experience in the coaching and backroom staff is needed to guide this Afghanistan team full of potential and talent to win matches in big moments, and we still believe that in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, Afghanistan can give even more surprises.
Afghanistan will be playing a three-match T20 series against India starting on January 11, 2024.