Three days after the mega showdown between India and Pakistan played out in Adelaide, a minor version of the South Asian spectacle took place in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) of Canberra. Afghanistan, making their Cricket World cup debut, took on Bangladesh at the 13000-capacity Manuka Oval.


Afghanistan fans in the stands yesterday. Pic/Kathleen Galligan  

Afghanistan's awe inspiring cricket story is quite well known. For a country that has been through so much from inside and out for the better part of four decades, to have a team playing amongst the big boys in the flagship event of cricket, is a tremendous accomplishment they ought to be proud of. Seven years ago, Afghanistan were playing in the ICC World Cricket League Division Five and it has been a steep rise in their cricketing commitment and accomplishment to be playing in the ODI World Cup so soon afterwards.