India national cricket team vs Afghanistan national cricket team match scorecard History Cricket is filled with enthralling matches, record-breaking performances, and moments etched in the minds of fans from around the world. Some of those encounters include India’s national cricket team facing the Afghanistan national cricket team. That has become something special – a reflection of how Afghanistan is fast rising to challenge other nations at the level of the game’s supermasters, India. This article explores the history and key scorecards of the matches between the two teams, which reveal the evolution of their cricketing relationship.
Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket
The journey of Afghanistan cricket has been just unbelievable. Having played cricket in refugee camps, they reached the international level and joined the ICC as a full member in 2017. In fact, when they take on India-the most dominant team at the international arena-things become even more David v Goliath-like because Afghanistan seems to punch over its weight so often in such matches.
First match: 2010 ICC World Twenty20
Their first-ever, formal cricket match was played at the West Indies between India and Afghanistan at the 2010 ICC World Twenty20. It marked their first appearance in the event of the ICC worldwide for Afghanistan. MS Dhoni led the Indian side who were up against the enthusiastic Afghanistan who were not experienced. Details of the scorecard.
India: 159/5 in 20 overs (Murli Vijay 48, Yuvraj Singh 23; Hamid Hasan 3/21)
Afghanistan: 115 all out in 19.5 overs (Asghar Afghan 31; Ashish Nehra 3/19, Praveen Kumar 2/14)
Result: India won by 29 runs.
Despite their loss, Afghanistan showed glimpses of their potential, particularly through the performances of Hamid Hassan and Asghar Afghan.
Memorable ODI Match: 2018 Asia Cup
One of the unforgettable India-Afghanistan matches was witnessed in the 2018 Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The second-placed Indian team was faced by Afghanistan, who had impressed in the tournament. This Super Four stage match resulted in a nail-biting thriller ending in dramatic fashion.
Scorecard Summary:
Afghanistan: 252/8 in 50 overs (Mohammad Shahzad 124, Mohammad Nabi 64; Kuldeep Yadav 2/38, Ravindra Jadeja 3/46)
India: 252 all out in 49.5 overs (KL Rahul 60, Ambati Rayudu 57; Rashid Khan 2/41, Mohammad Nabi 2/40)
Result: The match was tied.
The two positives for Afghanistan in this match were Mohammad Shahzad’s brilliant century and Rashid Khan’s all-round performance. For India, Ravindra Jadeja’s late effort almost caught them off guard. This match has cemented the reputation of Afghanistan as a team that can compete with the best.
Test Cricket Milestone: Afghanistan vs India-First Test
Afghanistan played their first Test match against India in Bengaluru in June 2018. This game was historic not only for Afghanistan but also for world cricket, as a new nation entered the game in its longest format.
Scorecard summary:
India (1st innings): 474 all out (Shikhar Dhawan 107, Murali Vijay 105; Yamin Ahmedzai 3/51)
Afghanistan (1st innings): 109 all out (Hashmatullah Shahidi 36; Ravichandran Ashwin 4/27, Ishant Sharma 2/28)
Afghanistan (2nd innings): 103 all out (Mohammad Nabi 24; Umesh Yadav 3/26, Ravindra Jadeja 4/17)
Result: India won by an innings and 262 runs.
India was overall a dominant side as they both performed well in batting and bowling departments. For Afghanistan, this game has been a learning curve and gives a clear difference between themselves and the Test-playing teams.
World Cup 2019 encounter
The India vs Afghanistan match during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England was yet another thrilling encounter. India was one of the favorites to win the tournament, and they were up against a spirited Afghan team that nearly pulled off a memorable upset.
Scorecard summary:
India: 224/8 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 67, Kedar Jadhav 52; Mohammad Nabi 2/33, Gulbadin Naib 2/51)
Afghanistan: 213 all out in 49.5 overs (Mohammad Nabi 52, Najibullah Zadran 21; Jasprit Bumrah 2/39, Mohammad Shami 4/40)
Result: India won by 11 runs.
Mohammed Shami’s last-over hat-trick sealed India’s victory in a nail-biting finish. Mohammad Nabi’s all-round performance earned him widespread acclaim, highlighting Afghanistan’s growing stature in world cricket.
T20 World Cup 2021
India vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi: India won the match against Afghanistan in the Super 12 stage of the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. India played outstandingly well after two consecutive losses.
Scorecard summary:
India: 210/2 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 74, KL Rahul 69; Karim Janat 1/7)
Afghanistan: 144/7 in 20 overs (Mohammad Nabi 35, Karim Janat 42; Ravichandran Ashwin 2/14, Mohammed Shami 3/36)
Result: India won by 66 runs.
The match saw India show resilience in their batting, while Afghanistan showed daring in their pursuit of runs.
Important players in the India-Afghanistan matches
India:
Virat Kohli- He has been one of the most consistent match-winning players for the team.
Rohit Sharma: Sharma has provided India with a good opening, mainly through his explosive batting.
Ravindra Jadeja: A reliable all-rounder, Jadeja’s both bats and bowls to form alliances that make him crucial to the team.
Afghanistan
Rashid Khan: One of the best spinners in the world, Rashid has troubled the Indian batsmen with his variations.
Mohammad Nabi: Being an experienced all-rounder, Nabi has been instrumental in Afghanistan’s performance.
Mohammad Shahzad: Known for his aggressive batting, Shahzad has played several memorable innings against India.
Evolution of rivalry
The cricketing relationship between India and Afghanistan reflects mutual respect and admiration. For India, playing against Afghanistan provides an opportunity to support a developing cricketing nation, while for Afghanistan, matches against India provide valuable exposure and learning experiences.
Looking ahead.
With this trend, future India national cricket team vs Afghanistan national cricket team match scorecard matches promise to be more competitive and full of excitement as Afghanistan goes on to gain strength as a power cricketing nation. It is, in the long run, capable of challenging India’s current premiership in this sport.
In conclusion, the history of India vs Afghanistan matches is a testament to the spirit of cricket. Each encounter tells a story of determination, resilience, and the unifying power of the game. Be it a tied ODI, a dramatic World Cup clash or a historic Test, these matches have left an indelible mark on the history of cricket.
Also read Afghanistan national cricket team vs Bangladesh national cricket team match scorecard : Overview
