The wonderful T20 World Cup journey of Afghanistan
Their arrival in the third edition of the tournament came just 15 years after the formation of the Afghanistan Cricket Board. While they succumbed to defeats against both India and South Africa, a half-century from Noor Ali in the opener, followed by bowling figures of 3/21 from Hamid Hassan against the Proteas, served as a notice to the world of the talent in Afghan ranks.
A first victory in the competition arrived in 2014, a seven-wicket win over Hong Kong in the group stages, but it was in the 2016 tournament that Afghanistan truly made a stamp on the world map.
Three wins out of three led the Associate nation to a place in the Super 10. While three defeats followed, their final match saw them take on the Windies hoping to salvage some pride. And they sure did, with some level of gusto.
Watch Afghanistan Innings Highlights against West Indies in this Match 30 video from the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016.
Defending a total of just 123, a sterling bowling performance led by spinners Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi saw the underdogs rise to a famous and unforgettable win in Nagpur. It would be the Windies’ only defeat in the tournament as they went on to be crowned champions, highlighting the scale of the Afghan side’s achievement.
What will 2020 hold in store for Afghanistan? Having qualified directly to the Super 12, they will be quietly confident of administering some more upsets. The likes of India, England and South Africa – all featuring in Afghanistan's group – will be more than wary of the threat possessed by a side that continue to make enormous leaps in international cricket.