India Defeats Afghanistan T20 World Cup
They came, they tried but they failed to conquer. Afghanistan’s hopes of a fairytale win in their opening match of the Twenty20 World Cup were denied as India cruised to a seven-wicket victory in St Lucia. The minnows proved too raw for the professional Dhoni XI that outclassed them in every aspect of the game.
India won the toss and sent Afghanistan in, in what was to be their first international match against a test side. The minnows had stunned many to qualify for the tournament but failed to carry their majestic form into the mega event where they managed just 115 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.
They lost wickets at regular intervals but their opening batsman Noor Ali remained resolute, scoring a fifty on debut. Along with Asghar Stanikzai, he was the other batsman who went into the double figures against a bowling attack that comprised of seasoned campaigners Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Harbhajan Singh.
Nehra was the pick of the bowlers for the former champions who look to regain lost glory by going all out during the Calypso Carnival. The Indians will not forget their shameful exit from the World Cup in 2007 when they were shocked by Bangladesh and exited the event despite being one of the favourites. This time around, they are being lead by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who showed his prowess with the gloves, taking 4 catches behind the stumps and equaling the world record held by Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal.
Afghanistan struggled against short-pitched deliveries, losing five out of their eight wickets to bouncers. Chasing 116 to win was never going to be difficult for the Indians yet the Afghanis made sure their opponents didn’t take them lightly. They took the in form Gautam Gambhir down in the 3rd over for just 4 runs, while Suresh Raina paid the price of questioning the nationality of Afghanis, by terming them Pakistanis. He scored a 13 ball 18 before he was dismissed in the sixth over.
After their departure, debutant Murali Vijay and Yuvraj Singh batted responsibly, helping their side reach the target with 31 balls to spare. Vijay missed his maiden half century by a couple of runs but his innings helped India go 1 up in the mega event. Yuvraj returned to form with 23 not out while skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni chipped in with a 6-ball 15.
Despite being blasted by the Indian batsmen, Afghanistan didn't come apart in the field.
They were energetic enough to save four certain runs off a Gautam Gambhir square-cut. A frustrated Gambhir jumped down the track next ball and found the fielder at cover-point on the full. They were brave enough to try spin inside the Powerplay: Shenwari trapped Suresh Raina with a straighter, quicker one in his first over.
It was the result everyone expected, but Afghanistan deserve credit after turning in a respectable display in the biggest game of their short history. Their total was never likely to be enough to hold up a star-studded India line-up but there were glimpses of promise in their batting display - albeit after a shaky start.
India, meanwhile, will be glad to have easily chalked up their first win after coming into the tournament without a single warm-up game. Dhoni’s men had all the practice during the recently concluded IPL which was won by Chennai, captained by Dhoni himself. A much sterner test against South Africa awaits the 2007 champions on Sunday. They will have to play as they usually do to beat the favourites South Africans to ensure a place in the Super 8.
More Indian Cricket Articles
India and South Africa clash in World Twenty20 Group C
http://www.senore.com/India-and-South-Africa-clash-in-World-Twenty20-Group-C-a10665
Will India Win the 20/20 World Cup
http://www.senore.com/Will-India-Win-the-20-20-World-Cup-a10725
India take nothing for granted against Afghanistan
http://www.senore.com/India-take-nothing-for-granted-against-Afghanistan-a10703
Tags: