Bowling out the odds: Afghanistan trashes West Indies in the ICC WC Qualifiers Final 2018

The twelfth edition of the world’s most prestigious cricketing tournament, the ICC World Cup, will be hosted by England and Wales in 2019. Over the last 40 years, the tournament has been held all over the globe with several test-playing countries competing for the trophy. The number of competing teams for 2019 has been reduced to 10, previously being 14 in the 2015 World Cup, as ICC anticipates fewer teams to result in a better display of sportsmanship.

England as the host is de facto qualified to be a part of the final 10 teams. The top 7, One Day International ICC rank holders, 6 months prior to the tournament will also form a part of the ten. The remaining two spots were filled by qualifiers held in Zimbabwe recently. Afghanistan and West Indies secured their spots on the list by ending up in the final of the Qualifiers, while the host Zimbabwe lost its place for the first time since 1983.

In the ICC Qualifiers Finals, Afghanistan trashed West Indies, which is nothing short of winning a mini world cup. The title was also special for Afghanistan because it completed its five-match winning streak, saving them from early return home post their initial three consecutive losses. "This trophy is for the people of Afghanistan," a delighted Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai said on his team’s win, adding: "This is nothing but a miracle that we have won this tournament. This would not have been possible without the prayers, support and well-wishes of all our fans. This title is for them.”

With 206-3 in 40.4 overs, Afghanistan beat the mighty world no. 8 West Indies with seven wickets and 9.2 overs to spare. The match was clearly owned by the fast bowlers who never let their opponents’ innings to take-off by and finally managed to knock all the Windies out for 204 in 46.5 overs. Leg-spin sensation Rashid Khan took his record-breaking 100th ODI wicket in only his 44th game. The 19-year-old fast bowler surpassed the previous record holder Australia's Mitchell Starc by eight matches. Cricketing giant and West Indies star-player Chris Gayle was forced to return, with only 10 on the scoreboard, by 16-year-old leg-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The batsmen too had their share of glory as Mohammad Shahzad played remarkable shots all over the field in his 93-ball innings and Rahmat Shah struck his 11th ODI half-century, sealing Afghanistan’s victory against two-time World Cup winners.

The Afghanistan team, despite its ominously low rank and performance, has proven gamblers wrong and become a force to be feared in the upcoming World Cup.

“Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.”

― William Arthur Ward